Ben's Blog
I’m not a wallower.
Never have been. And we’ve had a pretty difficult last few years – from managing a premature birth and a five-month NICU stay to a child with significant needs, caring for triplets, dealing with child loss, trying to figure out this new life. I probably have plenty to be angry about, as many others do in this world. And I am angry. And some days I do wonder ‘why me?’ But …we are also Blessed.But instead of waste
Yesterday I received a few thank-yous in the mail from students at the local high school after a visit to their childhood education classes recently. When I was first invited, I accepted quickly but then thought to myself, “what will I talk about with high school students?”
As I’m sitting here writing this, today is April 30, 2018, just two days before the second anniversary of Ben’s death. Benjamin died on May 2, 2016 at about 11pm in Lurie Children’s PICU in Chicago. This sounds so trite, but I can’t believe it’s already been two years.
Year one of Ben Smiles Memorial Foundation is under our belts. I first announced it on social media on April 11, 2017. When I thought of the idea to start a foundation as a tribute to Ben, I wasn’t really sure how it would go – I just knew I wanted to be able to remember him, share him with others and offer support/gifts to families that are like ours was – all in Ben’s name.
We had a pretty successful first year:
The foundation and the book have given me a new purpose. My identity as his mom was to care for him and give him the best life possible. When he was now gone, what did that mean for me? Well, I have found a new purpose. I am driven to continue this work. I want to reach way more kids through the foundation. I want to still talk about him, show his photos and share his memories.
Thank you to those that have donated. Thank you to those that have offered support and kind comments. Thank you to all who have attended our events. Be well.
