Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Bennett's Light

My hands tremble and my heart aches as I write these words.

Sweet Bennett is now dancing with the angels.



We were so blessed to have been given the chance to live, if only briefly, in the presence of this amazing little girl. 

You didn't have to be around her long before you were awed by her intelligence and boldness.  The mere sound of her sweet little voice would captivate your attention. And that beautiful grin of hers was undeniably contagious... just take a peek at one of her pictures for proof.

A few weeks ago Katie Anne, Bennett and Diana came to the Ronald McDonald House to celebrate Cohen's birthday with us. It meant so much to us to have them come, especially since Bennett had not been back since she left for home last winter.

Katie Anne wasn't sure how Bennett would react to going back but when they pulled up to the house she told her mommy, 

                   "I'm not afraid at all."
Bennett helping Cohen open his presents.
 They weren't there long when Bennett noticed Cohen's backpack for his TPN. She tugged at me and said words that will echo in my heart forever. Although, they were very simple words... they represented so much.
 "I used to have a backpack like that... WHEN I was sick."
Katie Anne gave a chuckle and said, "Yeah, WHEN she was sick."

The beauty I found in that moment was that Bennett was no longer living in her illness. She no longer saw herself as sick anymore. 


What a blessing to know that in the eyes of this beautiful little girl her illness was a thing of the past and all she knew at that moment was joy. 

When they left Cincinnati her parents were forced to make an unimaginable decision.  

Their decision meant discontinuing extremely aggressive treatments and taking Bennett home to enjoy whatever time they had left with her. 

Doctors told them that they would most likely have only a few weeks to a few months left together... but God had a different plan.

At the time they had no idea if they were making the right decision for their daughter, what parent would, but that prayerful decision proved mightily to be the right one.

Their decision ended up allowing Bennett to be Bennett again. She got her spunk back and was able to live in a world free of hospitals and medical treatment again. They took trips together and spent hours playing, cherishing every moment they had together. And when she had a bad day... she was able to retreat to her own room with her own toys... She had her coveted independence back.

It was the faithfulness of her heartbroken parents that gave her those gifts.

December 13, 2011- October 26, 2015

Katie Anne and Billy are amazing parents, who have chosen to share the beautiful story of their little blue-eyed girl in hopes of helping others. 

And OH how Bennett's story has done that.. and so much more. The light that shined  from this little girl has brought joy to those who knew her, hope to those who hurt, and compassion to those who have never walked this kind of journey. 

Because of Katie Anne and Billy's unwavering faithfulness Bennett's light will continue to shine farther than anyone could have ever imagined. Lives have... and will continue to be touched by the legacy of this beautiful little girl.

Make no mistake about it, Bennett's light has not gone out, in fact it is shining even brighter now from it's position in heaven.

How can our aching hearts not be filled with joy when we imagine you dancing with the angels?  I can almost hear you speaking those sweet words again... "I'm not afraid at all."


Now is your time to dance sweet girl... your shining light will forever guide the rest of us towards home.







B is for Bennett



The Story of the Lamp

Bennett's CaringBridge Journal
your photo name

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