Good morning all!  Halloween is just a few days away.  I thought I would share some pictures and memories of the Halloweens we shared with Beau.  The pictures today are from those times.  He was only 4 months old the first Halloween.  He was a cow that year.  Of course, he didn’t really know what was going on but he road around in the wagon with Kayla and was wide eyed taking in all the kids and parents that were out that evening.  The next year he was a little over a year old. He dressed up like a cowboy and Kayla was an Indian maiden. We tried taking some pictures early in the afternoon but he wasn’t too happy about it.  They were so cute and ended up having a wonderful time trick or treating.  This past year Beau was Bob the Builder.  All the grandparents, some aunts, uncles and cousins and friends came to Beau’s house for pizza.  Then we all went out thru Jennifer’s neighborhood trick or treating. Of course with all of us it was quite an entourage.  I dare say there were about 14 in our party.  We had two wagons the kids road in so they wouldn’t get so tired walking the whole time. Beau really got into it and you could tell he was excited every time they went to the door.  He would look into his pumpkin to see what kind of candy he had gotten and was ready to move on to the next house for more candy.  We got lots of pictures and have some wonderful memories of a very special Halloween.  You can go to the “picture” page to see photos from last year’s Halloween celebration.  1 John 4:11-12  Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.  God gave this family a very special little boy with infectious blue eyes and big happy smile.  Beau was loved unconditionally by all that came in contact with him and he returned that love two fold.  God used Beau in a mighty way during those 12 months. He used him in ways we would have never thought possible.  God’s love was reflected thru Beau and he used him to touch thousands of peoples’ lives and hearts.  You know that God often uses the least of us so His love will shine thru and we know it is truly God at work.  Even today God continues to use Beau and I know He isn’t through yet.  As the Bible verse above says, since God loves us let us love one another.  Reach out to someone that is hurting today or just needs a word of encouragement.  Be that shoulder they can cry on and let them see how bright God’s love really can be.  You never know how much that kind word one or that hug can mean to someone.  It may change their life.  God Bless!!  Love Grammy

Good morning all!  Last week Jennifer and Parham got a call from Fireman Jake (and wife Kristin) asking them to come to come to the Greenville Fire and Rescue dinner that is held by each year by the Greenville Chamber of Commerce.  It was held on Tuesday night at the Hilton. They were so honored to be invited and they had a wonderful time.  Dr. Gibbs (with City Manager Wayne Bowers above) was also invited and attended.  All the firemen that had visited Beau at various times at the hospital were in attendance and they were glad to see them and to once again thank them for all they did.  Jennifer and Parham were especially glad to see Beau’s pall bearers and to be able to talk with them.  After dinner, they played Let’s Make A Deal and Eric Smith (pictured above) a fireman and friend from their church won $80.  Lots of crazy prizes were won by others.  Rudy Godley (picture above) received the award for fireman of the year. After the awards were handed out, BJ Whitley, chairwoman of the Chamber’s community safety committee, gave special recognition to Jennifer and Parham and Beau and presented them with 150.00 check in honor of all the Greenville Fire & Rescue to Beau’s Buddies Cancer fund.  She also indicated the Chamber would like to become involved with Beau’s Buddies.  How awesome is that.  Below is an excerpt from the article about the dinner in the Daily Reflector the next day. 

After the awards were handed out, Whitley gave special recognition to Jennifer and Parham Stanley. Their late son, Beau, who died of cancer, became the namesake of the “Beau's Buddies Cancer Fund,” which became an important Fire-Rescue charity in 2008.  “You might wonder if, now that Beau is gone, he will be remembered,” Whitley told the Stanleys. “I can tell you that Beau's memory is etched in the hearts and minds of everyone connected with Greenville Fire-Rescue, and he will never be forgotten.”

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.    As you’ve heard me say before, Auntie Nay remarked in the last days that while we had been praying for a miracle for Beau what we weren’t seeing was that he was the miracle.  God had called Beau for a purpose.  He had put Beau on this earth – even if it was for a short time – for a reason.  He had a mission for him and for Jennifer and Parham.  Beau touched more lives in that one year then most of us will touch in our life time and he continues to do so today.  The firemen of Greenville Fire and Rescue became a part of our family and Beau will always be a part of their family.  They gave Beau a fireman’s funeral – that is normally reserved for one of their own but in the short time they knew Beau he became one of them.  They became Beau’s Buddies and will forever remain such.  Fireman Jake being Jake and Beau being Beau formed a very special bond in a short time a bond that continues on and will be there forever.  Beau changed Fireman Jake’s life and he touched Beau’s (and ours) in a very special way.  God Blessed us all by that friendship and the bond this family has with Fireman Jake will live on forever.  Little did we know on June 19, 2005, what an impact Beau would have on our lives and on the lives of so many others?  I miss him so much but he will always be with us in our hearts and in our memories.  I can just see him in heaven with his red fireman’s hat on watching over all of us down here.  I know he is so proud of his momma and dada and all that Beau’s Buddies is going to be able to do.  God Bless you my little one.  God Bless you all!! Have a blessed day!!  Love, Grammy