The Magic Flying Stool

Last week was spring break for Blake (Ben’s 6-year-old brother). It was the first opportunity Lana had to spend some quality time with Blake in over two months, so we took advantage of it. Blake, Lana, our cousin Tammy Cone and her son Joey, and Uncle Vernon visited the McWane Center and the Birmingham Zoo. We also watched a movie at the IMAX theatre.

We took some photos and pictures, and Blake wanted to share them with everyone.

Blake especially wanted to show everyone the “magic flying stool” at the McWane Center. If you know the secret, you can sit on the stool, flap your arms, and float up into the air like magic.

Blake tried it first, but he did not have much success.

Joey tried it next, but he didn’t do much better.

Then Uncle Vernon gave it a try, and he knew the “secret”.

If you can guess how this was done, add your comment below. Next week Blake and I will let you know who figured it out.

Here are some hints:

Making goofy faces does not help.

Joey got it half right, and half wrong.

Now for some other videos from the zoo and McWane Center:

Here is the sea lion posing for the camera.

Here is Blake next to a large rattlesnake.

Watch Blake peddle a bike across a tightrope two stories up in the air!

Blake and Joey build an arch.

Here is Joey sitting on a giant rabbit. Here is Blake on a tortoise.

Here is Tammy having a REAL bad hair day!

Blake and Joey are feeding the goldfish.

Here is Blake and Joey trying to driveoff in a truck at the zoo.

Blake and Joey are dancing in front of the big screen.

Click here to see all of the photos and videos. We had a lot of fun!

A Poem for Ben

A few days prior to Ben’s heart transplant, a friend of the family sent Lana a wonderful letter and poem. With her permission, I am sharing them with you. First, here is the letter:

March 18, 2007
Dear Ben Grier and Family,

Hi! My name is Laura Harvey, and I grew up with Susan and Kip Massey!

Recently, Susan, Kip, and l have been reunited. Some of my friends and I from Birmingham met Susan and Kip at the Cracker Barrel in Prattville a short while ago, and we were delighted to see each other.

Through emailing, Susan revealed that her cousin’s son was having heart problems and might need a heart transplant. As such, I made a prayer request for him at church, and I have been thinking of him and Susan, as she has had some health issues lately also.

Right now, I live in Vestavia Hills with my parents, and I attend UAB as an undergraduate student who is almost finished with her degree in English, specifically Professional Writing and Public Discourse. However, I think that my passion lies in creative writing, and in reaching out to others.

Susan Blake Massey sent me the link to the web site for Ben Grier. I surfed the
site for a little while, and then decided that the best thing I could do to help Ben would be to pray for him and his family, and I also felt that I could write him a poem.

I do hope that you like the poem which I have written for Ben. I based it on the pictures of Ben, and on what I viewed on the web site.

Please let me know if you need any more copies of the poem, or if there is anything further that I can do for you and your family.

Keeping you in my prayers,
Love always,

Laura Harvey

In order to preserve the formatting and presentation of the poem, I scanned it from the original and saved it as a PDF file.

Please take a moment to read “You Are Special and You Are Sweet!”

If you wish to contact Laura, please let me know.

Pictures from NUSS Pam & Ben

One of Ben’s nurses, NUSS Pam, sent me an email last night. Here is what she said:

Hi, I’m Pam, Ben’s nurse at UAB.

He and I have been taking pictures; and his mom and dad thought it would be a good idea to send them to you..

Here’s a little bit of the story behind the pictures…

Pam sent me several pictures and provided all of the descriptions that accompany them. Check them out!

Pam went on to say …

Hopefully you will find some of the pictures useful on  his website.

Ben is forever amazing me with his spirit.  Your family is truly blessed to have this amazing young boy as a part of it.  I pray for each of you, especially your mom and sister. 

If you want I’ll keep the pictures coming.  Just let me know.

Thanks,

Pam, RN

Well, thank you Pam! We are lucky to have you and the other staff members taking such good care of Ben!

Now for a little fun ….

Is this Ben Grier or Tom Cruise (Risky Business)?

Let’s try again …

Ben Grier or Jerry Lewis (Nutty Professor)?

Ben may have started a new career …

Photo’s of & by Ben

Photos of Ben and others

These pictures were taken by Ben. He has become an excellent photographer!

Ben’s Videos

“Thank You” message

Ben says “Howdy!”

Singing “Happy Birthday“

Singing “Cookie Monster” song

Spinning Wheel B’day gift

Ben bopping Uncle Vernon on the head

Music Video produced by Blake (Ben’s brother) & Uncle Vernon … Ben has watched and laughed at this one dozens of times … (The name of this video is Piano Man meets Pillow Fighter!)

PacMan Game

Click here to play PacMan!

Benefit Concert for Ben

What:     Benefit Concert

When:    May 5th, 2007

Where:   Down the Street Cafe - See Map - Gayle Royal, Owner

Website: http://www.downthestreetcafe.com/

Time:     4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Tickets/Donations: $20 per person (tickets on sale now or at the door)

Menu:    Boston Butt or Chicken, potato salad, baked beans, coleslaw and tea.

Bands scheduled to perform:

Mighty Soul Shakers

Sweet Younguns

Mac Cone 

Charlie C. & the Cuzmatics

Dr. FeelGood

Cruzin

Filthy Wilma

Ray Goss & Friends

Andy Norman

Billy Ferguson

There will also be a silent auction. Donations are being accepted now at Down the Street Cafe.

Candle Light Birthday Celebration

The Candle Lighting in Ben’s honor was held on March 3rd, 2007.

It was a huge success!

Watch the video.