miss you Ben  / A. (friend)
Well, I made it to senior year!  It would be so very cool if you had gotten the job at Albertsons, work might be a little more interesting than it is now!  Band is all excited and ready to go to the rose parade...thank you for helping us get there. 
I think about you often and the funny jokes you always said.  it really hurts that we will never see you again on this earth...but i hope that one day i will get to hug you again.
You truly made my life at the high school a little easier.  You were the best upper classmen ever and you always made me feel like there was a place in your heart for me.  I only pray that one day i will be able to share the love that you gave to me and so many of your fellow students.
I will never forget you...and the random places i used to find you!  You always knew when to show up somewhere...even if it was a barn! 
I love you Ben,
Ashley
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Missing the Good Ole Days  / Jen Sherman (friend)
Our marching band sucks.  Don't get me wrong - I have plenty of school spirit, I'm a Coug through and through.  But it makes me miss MI and the, what, 500+ members of marching band.  I bet you can guess who I miss most, Ben.

I have to say, my absolute favorite thing about being in yearbok last year was the fact that it gave me a pass onto the field.  Granted, the pass was for the purpose of taking pictures of the football players, but you know what I used it for instead.  Maybe I'm just a band member wannabe, but every time the drum line started a cadence, you know I'd be out there jumping around with you and Aaron and everyone.  I miss that.

We played UI a couple of weeks ago.  I almost fell over laughing - their sousaphone players wear kilts.  I could just picture you running around on the field, wearing that stupid pink hat and a kilt.  Would you do that for school spirit, Benny? I bet you would.  I bet you'd do most anything.

I think that's what I loved most about you.  You'd be up for anything.  That and the fact that even though we were never close, I still felt like I knew you.  Through random AIM conversations and that brief stint freshman year when you knew I had a crush on you...you were always there, this random person who came before me in the alphabet.  Never friends, but always friendly.  The one thing that got me through ITED and WASL testing - knowing you'd be there, cracking jokes.  My alphabetical buddy.

I was so looking forward to hanging with you during graduation.  Finally, someone came and put their name between ours - when I heard, I was so excited.  Lame, I know...but I wanted you to amuse me, get me through that ceremony.  No offense to Kaitlin Seymour or Jay Singh, but they just aren't good enough.  I missed sitting by you last June, Ben.

I was mad at you.  At God.  At life.  I was bitter.  I was pissed off that no one saw it coming.  I wanted someone to blame.  I'm sorry for that.  I'm not mad anymore.  I don't want to be all clicheic and say "you're in a better place" or "God works in mysteriosu ways."  None of that changes anything.

Instead, I'll just smile, wipe the tears, and remember the good ole days - the days of emus and Ben Eddy Shamu.  Of that broken clasp on your necklace and Shamis Oh Shamis.  Of that stupid pink hat!  I love you, Ben, whether you knew it or not. Close

Song Lyrics  / Chelsea Spiro (Friend)
"Here In My Heart" The Scorpions Sometimes there's a time you must say goodbye Though it hurts you must learn to try I know I've got to let you go But I know anywhere you go You'll never be far 'Cause like the light of a bright star You'll keep shining in my life You're gonna be right Here in my heart That's where you'll be You'll be with me Here in my heart No distance can keep us apart Long as you're here in my heart Won't be any tears falling from these eyes 'Cause when love's true love never dies It stays alive forever Time can't take away what love we had I will remember our time together You might think our time is through But I'll still have you Here in my heart That's where you'll be You'll be with me Here in my heart No distance can keep us apart Long as you're here in my heart I know you'll be back again And 'till then My love is waiting Here in my heart That's where you'll be You'll be with me Here in my heart No distance can keep us apart Long as you're here in my heart Here in my heart That's where you'll be You'll be with me Here in my heart No distance can keep us apart Long as you're here in my heart Close

"The Dance"  / Mom
Looking back on the memory of
The dance we shared beneath the stars above
For a moment all the world was right
How could I have known you'd ever say goodbye
And now I'm glad I didn't know
The way it all would end the way it all would go
Our lives are better left to chance I could have missed the pain
But I'd of had to miss the dance
Holding you I held everything
For a moment wasn't I the king
But if I'd only known how the king would fall
Hey who's to say you know I might have changed it all
And now I'm glad I didn't know
The way it all would end the way it all would go
Our lives are better left to chance I could have missed the pain
But I'd of had to miss the dance
Yes my life is better left to chance
I could have missed the pain but I'd of had to miss the dance

By Garth Brooks

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Ben - a letter to you,  / Donna Shamis (Aunt)
Benji - I miss you so very much!  Though miles separated us these many years, I carried you in my heart at all times, as I still do.  You were so very precious to me.
I can see you (you were about six) at the kitchen island making cookies with Mat and Amanda - with flour everywhere - in the bowl, on the bowl, on the counter, on your cheeks and on that cute little nose of yours!  You are wearing a red and white striped apron. I look out the back window and see you riding in the red wagon behind the green tractor laughing and giggling all of the way.  Uncle Norm is driving the tractor.  The memory is so vivid, I can even see the jacket you are wearing.  As you get older, I see you standing and smiling ever so sheepishly in you mild and timid way dressed in a sports jacket and tie - a blue shirt comes to mind.
You have given the gift of life to my dear husband - your dear Uncle Norm.  For that, I will be eternally grateful to you.  Each day he grows stronger because of you.  His true spirit is returning.  I feel you with me each day.
You were, and are still, a truly important part of our family.
Your mom and dad are so very sad without you - I know that you see that each day.
We were so very lucky that you were a part of our lives here on this earth for the short time that we had you.  We know that some day we will be with you again.
With all of my love - your Auntie Donna. Close

"Don't Judge Me"  / Judy (None)

Don't judge me for how I left this world, Remember the love I gave
Alot of grief will follow me for the decision that I made
Changes appear in everyone's life; Some good, some bad
The one I chose for myself made everyone very sad
But in time memories will heal the hurt of hearts
And my presence will be felt by all with an inner peace
Remember me when the sun is bright and laughter fills the air
And a moonlit night and a whisper of wind will tell you I am there
Don't look down on my family or fill their hearts with blame
For my leaving them without good-byes they will never be the sameIf I could go back in time I'd say a last good-bye
I'd tell them to "Look to tomorrow; and for me.....do not cry."

~Author Unknown

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I am so sorry  / Connie Dykes
Sue, Thank you for sharing Ben and his life with us.This is a wonderful tribute to a son, your love shows in every word. Close

Peace to you Sue  / Lisa Bohlin
Sue, What a wonderful memorial in memory of Ben. He is very proud I am sure. I am sorry you are going through this hellful journey of grief. I hope Ben and Nate have become friends. May you find comfort and strength here when you come to visit your precious Ben!

Lisa-mom of Nate Close

I am so sorry for your tremendous loss.  / Poppy Helgren
What a wonderful tribute to your son.  He sounds like such a special boy.  I can imagine an adorable little boy loving to watch 101 Dalmations!
My heart goes out to you as you live through this pain.
God bless you.  I also know the pain of the loss of a child.
With love,
Poppy Helgren Close

My Son's Friend  / Marvin& Charlene Hardin (My Son's Friend )
Ben it is my Honor to sign your Guest Book,You will be missed by many never forgotten,and always LOVED!!!!!!! Marvin Pop of Marvin Jr.(Marvo) Close

"Remember Me" Song from the Movie "Troy", Sung by Josh Groban  / Sue Shamis (Mom)
Remember, I will still be here
As long as you hold me, in your memory

Remember, when your dreams have ended
Time can be transcended
Just remember me

I am the one star that keeps burning, so brightly,
It is the last light, to fade into the rising sun

I'm with you
Whenever you tell, my story

Remember, I will still be here
As long as you hold me, in your memory
Remember me

I am the one voice in the cold wind, that whispers
And if you listen, you'll hear me call across the sky

As long as I still can reach out, and touch you
Then I will never die

Remember, I'll never leave you
If you will only
Remember me

Remember me...

Remember, I will still be here
As long as you hold me
In your memory

Remember, when your dreams have ended
Time can be transcended
I live forever
Remember me

Remember me
Remember... me...
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Hindu Prayer for Ben  / Sue Shamis (Mother)

From delusion lead me to Truth
From darkness lead me to Light
From death lead me to eternal life.

- Hindu prayer from the Sanskrit - Universal Prayer

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Quote From Ben's Quote Book  / Chelsea Spiro (Friend)
Losing a friend is like losing a limb, possible to live without but impossible to ever heal the same. -Unknown Close

Poem For Ben  / A Friend (Friend)
I Miss You
By:  Amy Hegedes

Thank you for everything you've done
I can't believe you are gone
I never got the chance to tell you what you mean to me
You changed my life
I wish that you could see
You set me free
Your smile
Your laugh
Your presence and your grace
You blessed my life in so many ways
I couldn't call you my best friend
But I'll miss you everyday
Seeing your pictures
Remembering the words you always used to say
Thinking about you brings tears to my eyes
My heart begins to sink
I just want to break down and cry
I miss you
I miss your heart
I knew I wanted to be your friend from the very start
I will miss you forever
I will miss you and I will never
Be ok.....
I just want one more chance
One chance to say goodbye
One chance to tell you how I feel
And how you changed my life
I never really believed in Angels
I never thought that I could heal
But once you stepped into my life
I knew that Angels were for real
This is the end
There is no rebirth
But I know why God wanted you with him
Because you were truly an Angel on Earth
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Quotation for Ben  / Sue Shamis (Mother)
Life is eternal and love is immortal; And death is only a horizon, And a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight.
- Rossiter W. Raymond Close