| Location | Castleside - County Durham |
| Age | 13 years |
| Cause of Death | Accident |
| Date of Birth | 12/05/1993 |
| Date of Death | 11/01/2007 |
| Visitors | 12,618 since 19/01/2007 |
| Creator | |
| Helpers |
Ben died after choking on a pen top while doing his homework.
Ambulance crews fought to save the him on the way to hospital, but he died two days later.
Ben was a pupil at Moorside Community Technology College. Headteacher Jonathan Morris described Ben
as a much-loved member of the school.
"Ben was a much-loved member of our community and I am proud to have been his headteacher."
"He was extremely popular and a very active member of the school, particularly in the performing
arts.
"Ben was also a very bright lad and he will be well- remembered for his sense of fun. Our thoughts
and prayers are with his family at this very sad time."
Ben lived in Consett Road, Castleside, with his mother, Nathalie, stepfather, David and sister,
Briony .
From his Mum
Ben was the most loving sensitive lad who was rapidly changing into a young man. He wanted to be a
Chef and loved nothing more than messing about in the kitchen. He always said he would have his own
restaurant and own an Aston Martin. He loved music and started learning the violin at primary but
stopped and took up the keyboards at secondary. He lived for the playstation! And anything to do
with pc's or gaming. He had been in a few shows at his schools before he died and we were amazed at
what a showman he was. He was on the engineering team, debating club and was on the most talented
and able register at school. He had so much to live for. Ben contracted meningitis at nearly 3 years
of age and when he pulled through this we realised how precious life is and thanked God for every
day that followed.
He loved his family dearly and his friends meant the world to him. He and his sister mean the world
to us and this tragedy has devastated the whole family.
But Ben would hate our lives to stop because his has ended, in this life. He would want us to smile
and make the most of what we have. It was the kind of lad he was. One day when our time comes we
will be with Ben again and until then we have to console ourselves with the fact that he is still
with us in spirit.
My funny, witty, gorgeously amazing boy, you lit up my life, you made me laugh and you filled me
with a love that will never die. When you left us a part of me went with you. But for your sake we
will live our lives to the full and our lives will be worthwhile. Son I am so proud of you and what
you were. You were and always will be my Benj, Never a day will go by whenI don't think of you and
wish I could see you again. Your life touched so many other people's and for that we are all
grateful. We were the luckiest people to have known you and have been touched by you for the last 14
years.
All my love always Benj,
Your Mum xxxxxxxxxxxxx
•:*:• •:*:• •:*:• •:*:• •:*:••:*:• •:*:• •:*:• •:*:• •:*:••:*:• •:*:• •:*:•
_$$$$$$________*GOODNIGHT*__________$$$$$
__$$$$$$$$*______*ANGEL*________,,$$$$$$$$*
___$$$$$$$$$$,,_______________, ,$$$$$$$$$$*
____$$$$$$$$$$$$__ ._____.___$$$$$$$$$$$$
____$$$$$$$$$$$$$,_'.____.'_,,$$$$ $$$$$$$$$
____$$$$$$$$$$$$$$,, '.__,'_$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
____$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.@:.$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$
______***$$$$$$$$$$$@@$$$$$$$$$$$****
__________,,, __*$$$$$$@.$$$$$$,,,,,,
_____,,$$$$$$$$$$$$$* @ *$$$$$$$$$$$$,,,
____*$$$$$$$$$$$$$*_@@_*$$$$$$$$$$$$$
___ ,,*$$$$$$$$$$$$$__.@.__*$$$$$$$$$$$$$,,
_,,*___*$$$$$$$$$$$ ___*___*$$$$$$$$$$*__ *',,
*____,,*$$$$$$$$$$_________$$$$$$$$$$*,,____*
______ ,;$*$,$$**'____________**'$$***,,
____,;'*___'_.*_*SWEET DREAMS*_________*___ '*,,
,,,,.;*__________________________ _ ____ '**,,,,
•:*:• •:*:• •:*:• •:*:• •:*:••:*:• •:*:• •:*:• •:*:• •:*:••:*:• •:*:• •:*:•
☆SLEEP TIGHT ☆ ANGEL ☆ KEEP SHINING BRIGHT ☆
•:*:• •:*:• •:*:• •:*:• •:*:••:*:• •:*:• •:*:• •:*:• •:*:••:*:• •:*:• •
LOVE ALWAYS XXX.
I am the wind in your hair, with you everywhere
I am the stars in the sky and the sun up high.
I am the waves in the ocean, with your every emotion
I am the snow on the ground, I am all around.
I am the flowers in the meadow, wherever you go
I am the moon at night, please know I'm alright.
I am the bird's sweet song, I am not gone
I am the blossom on a tree, you'll never forget me.
I am the rain on your face, a rainbow's embrace
I am the leaves on the ground, I'll always be around.
I am the fluffy white clouds, innocent and pure
Look all around you, you'll feel me I'm sure.
I am that warm loving feeling, deep in your heart
My memories live on, we'll never be apart.
I am all around you, in all that you see, hear and do
Just reach right out now, I am always here with you.
Love always xXx.
Read at Kierans Funeral
Miss Me But Let Me Go
When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me,
I want no tears in a gloom-filled room,
Why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little – But not for long
And not with your head bowed low,
Remember the love that we once shared,
Miss me – But let me go.
For this is a journey we all must take,
And each must go alone,
It’s all a part of the Master’s plan
A step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick of heart
Go to your friends that we know,
And bury your sorrows in doing good works,
Miss me – But let me go.
Perhaps if we could see the splendour of the land
To which our loved ones are called from you and me,
We’d understand
Perhaps if we could hear the welcome they receive
From old familiar voices all so dear
We would not grieve.
Perhaps if we could know the reason why they went
We’d smile and wipe away the tears that flow
We’d wait content
Miss me – But let me go
â™° For Ben with love â™°
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..`""-----""`....with lots of love x â™° x
Candles in the Night
Candles flame in darkness,
Flicker, steadily glow,
Bringing light from shadows
And help to soothe me so.
My son, like the candles,
Gave my life true light,
I use the candle's beacon
To connect us in the night.
As I light the candles,
My wish and my request
Is that he'll see my signal
And know my love's expressed.
As his light joins my lights,
Our worlds touch and flame.
As I snuff out the candles,
I softly say his name.
By Genesse Bourdeau Gentry
Love you always Benji xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸ .*´
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸ .•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.~~
+ . . * + * * . + * .*.++
. * + * JUST * + .
+ . . * + . + * . * +
* . + *SHOWING .* + .
+ . . * + . + * . * + .
+ , *SOME. + * LUV+ *
+ . . * + . + * . * + .*
.TO * * + . * THIS.* .
. * + * * + . *+ *
+ ..PAGE.. * + . +
+ ....* + . + * . * +
(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸ .*´
The Pit of Grief
The day my child died, I fell into the pit of grief. My friends watched me struggle through daily life; waiting for the person I once was to arise from the pit, not realizing 'she' is gone forever.
The pit is full of darkness, heartache and despair; it paralyzes your thoughts, movements and ability to ration. The pit leaves you forever changed, unable to surface the person you once were.
Some of my pre-grief friends gather around the top of the pit, waiting for the old me to appear before their eyes, not understanding what’s taking me so long to emerge. After all, in their eyes, I’ve been in the pit for quite sometime. Yet in my eyes, it seems as if I fell in only yesterday.
Not all of my pre-grief friends are gathered around the top of the pit. Some are helping me with the climb out of the darkness. They climb side by side with me from time to time, but mostly they climb ahead of me, waiting patiently at each plateau. Even with these friends I sometimes wonder if they are also waiting for the pre-grief me to magically appear before their eyes.
Then there are the casual acquaintances, you know the ones who say 'Hi, how are you?' when they really don't care or really want to know. These are the people who sigh in relief, that is my child who died and not theirs. You know ... the 'better them, than me' attitude.
My post-grief friends are the ones who climb with me, side by side, inch by inch, out of the pit of grief. They have no way of comparing the pit climbed to the pre-grief person I once was. You see, they started at the bottom of the pit with me. They are able to reassure me when I need reassurance, rest when I need resting, and encourage me to move forward when I don't have the strength. They have no expectations, no memories and no recollection of how I 'should' be. They want me to get better, to smile more often and find joy in life, but they also accepted the person I’ve become. The 'person' who is emerging from the pit.
Unknown Author
Thinking of you.XXX
The Four Candles
The four candles burned slowly
Their ambiance was so soft you
Could hear them speak.......
The first candle said “I am peace, but these days, no one wants to keep me lit.”
Then peace’s flame slowly diminishes and goes out completely.
The second candle said “I am Faith, but these days, I am no longer indispensable.”
Then Faith’s flame slowly diminishes and goes out completely.
Sadly the third candle spoke “I am Love and I haven’t the strength to stay lit any longer.” “People put me aside and don’t understand my importance. They even forget to love those who are nearest to them.”
And waiting no longer, Love goes out completely.
Suddenly........
A child enters the room and sees the three candles no longer burning.
The child begins to cry, “Why are you not burning? You are supposed to stay lit until the end.”
Then the fourth candle spoke gently to the little boy, “Don’t be afraid, for I am Hope, and while I still burn, we can re-light the other candles.”
With shining eyes the child took the candle of Hope and lit the other three candles.
Never let the Flame of Hope go out in your life.
When Angels sense you need them,
And Angels always do....
They come, unseen, from everywhere
To help and comfort you.
They hover close beside you
Till all your cares are gone,
Till they can see you're ready
Once again to carry on.
Then some of them may fly away
And take their gentle touch,
To other hearts that need
The love of Angels very much,
But one, at least, stays with you
As your constant friend and guide,
For Guardian Angels never leave,
They're always at your side.
Love always xXx.
•:*:• •:*:• •:*:• •:*:• •:*:••:*:• •:*:• •:*:• •:*:• •:*:••:*:• •:*:• •:*:•
_$$$$$$________*GOODNIGHT*__________$$$$$
__$$$$$$$$*______*ANGEL*________,,$$$$$$$$*
___$$$$$$$$$$,,_______________, ,$$$$$$$$$$*
____$$$$$$$$$$$$__ ._____.___$$$$$$$$$$$$
____$$$$$$$$$$$$$,_'.____.'_,,$$$$ $$$$$$$$$
____$$$$$$$$$$$$$$,, '.__,'_$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
____$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.@:.$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$
______***$$$$$$$$$$$@@$$$$$$$$$$$****
__________,,, __*$$$$$$@.$$$$$$,,,,,,
_____,,$$$$$$$$$$$$$* @ *$$$$$$$$$$$$,,,
____*$$$$$$$$$$$$$*_@@_*$$$$$$$$$$$$$
___ ,,*$$$$$$$$$$$$$__.@.__*$$$$$$$$$$$$$,,
_,,*___*$$$$$$$$$$$ ___*___*$$$$$$$$$$*__ *',,
*____,,*$$$$$$$$$$_________$$$$$$$$$$*,,____*
______ ,;$*$,$$**'____________**'$$***,,
____,;'*___'_.*_*SWEET DREAMS*_________*___ '*,,
,,,,.;*__________________________ _ ____ '**,,,,
•:*:• •:*:• •:*:• •:*:• •:*:••:*:• •:*:• •:*:• •:*:• •:*:••:*:• •:*:• •:*:•
☆SLEEP TIGHT ☆ ANGEL ☆ KEEP SHINING BRIGHT ☆
•:*:• •:*:• •:*:• •:*:• •:*:••:*:• •:*:• •:*:• •:*:• •:*:••:*:• •:*:• •
LOVE ALWAYS XXX.
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