Message from Tammy Snow, one of Ben's program mentor. IT SAYS IT ALL

This letter is from someone who has become a dear friend to my son, and to me. Tammy Snow. A person who has worked years to advocate and provide programs tirelessly for people she loves, who just happen to have disabilities. As soon as Ben attended functions with her, and her husband Stu, I just heard so many wonderful things about this bubbly, outgoing, solid 24K gold woman, I asked, let me be her friend too...smile. She wrote this letter to Ben last evening after knowing the final consensus on his kidney cancer. It was too beautiful not to share. It gives an insight into my son, that makes me know, he indeed is a champion. My kind gentle giant, with a heart to give, have fun, have others have fun, and here he is on a sledding trip with Tammy. TY my wonderful friend. This letter will always be part of my journal, and now of Ben's and our journey. You are amazing, and thank you for sharing. XOXO   Here's the letter!

Dear Facebook Family and Friends,

Every once in a while God brings someone extra special into your life. That special person enriches your live in some way that you never expect. My special person God gave me recently is Benjamin Gran, or Ben as his friends call him. I met Ben when he attended one of my event trips with the city of Federal Way Parks and Recreation. My first impression of Ben was that he was a college professor who loved to volunteer his time to come along and share the fun we all had on these community trips. I really didn’t know he was a program participant until a few days later when I saw Ben on another of my trip lists. His sense of humor had me constantly hoping I didn’t wet my pants from laughing so hard. His patience and kindness to all he encountered was unflappable. Trains! I have never met nor do I think I will ever meet another human being who has such a vast and utterly amazing knowledge and love of trains as Ben. I love listening to his train and snow skiing adventures. The pictures he has taken of his adventures and stories of his experiences are so impressive and engaging that I have encouraged him to put these things all together in a hard back photo-adventure book for others to enjoy as well.

I would have never guessed Ben was living with Asperger’s, which is a form of autism. I firmly believe that God makes EVERY person on the planet different in some way because (1.) He LOVES wondrous variety (2.) Each person has a special purpose in Gods life plans. I believe that Ben's purpose is to show the world that no matter what life throws at you, faith, hope, humor and an undeniable love of God will help you overcome anything.

Recently Ben signed up to join Stu's and my Federal Way Special Olympics Soccer team. One of the requirements to join is to submit a current sports physical report from your doctor. Shockingly; upon having his sports physical Ben learned he has kidney cancer. Ben will be having surgery May 1st to remove his kidney. Throughout this terrifying situation Ben has remained so positive and upbeat that it comforts the rest of us worry warts. Ironically, prior to learning he had cancer Ben had signed up to participate in the Relay for Life event which is a fundraiser for the fight against Cancer. Knowing Ben and his unflappable, determined and happy spirit, it came as no surprise that he still plans to join his team in their efforts to raise $410.00 each in their fight on Cancer.

I am asking each of you to please bookmark and follow the Blog on Ben’s journey through his battle with cancer that Ben’s wonderful mom Linda has created. Linda is an incredibly talented writer and I believe that you will find her blog one that you can’t wait to read each day. The link is below in this post.

I would also like to ask each of you to please consider donating whatever you can, no matter how big or small the amount, to Ben’s Relay for Life team to help wipe Cancer off the planet earth !. I believe that almost everyone I know has been impacted by cancer in some way, i.e., friends, family, co-workers.

Thank you all for taking the time to read this post about my special person from God.

https://secure3.convio.net/tacs/site/Donation2?idb=651672421&df_id=1009572&FR_ID=37746&1009572.donation=form1&PROXY_ID=19374910&PROXY_TYPE=20&JServSessi

Benjamin Gran's Journey

Nobody ever expects to have it happen. But especially with their child. To have that silent, dreaded word invade your life with an explosion that rocks your world upside down. Just SIX little letters and you and their life, changes, forever. C-A-N-C-E-R....

It was a routine checkup for a sport's physical, that in the end, would be the act of providence to alert us that something was terribly wrong. It was raining the day I got a call from my 6'5 tall son, in a soft voice, saying, mom, can you meet me at the doctor's office. I was there in a heartbeat. It seems a blur now. The aggressive clinic doctor telling me my son was in trouble. Extremely elevated kidney proteins in his blood work, symptoms that he had ignored, thinking they were back pain. Then more tests. Ultrasounds. And finally the all confirming CT Scan. YUK! I just couldn't wrap my head around it!

Benjamin, if you know him, has had a journey that has had many roadblocks, many bumps in the road, and yet always makes the ole proverbial Lemonade. And so when he received the news, advancing cancer/tumor definitely malignant in the left kidney/so big it was described as the size of a baseball, his indomitable spirit gave me the strength to not crumble and scream, all in one split second. Cancer. Who would think it could elicit such a response. I couldn't look, as the first specialist showed the uninvited almost 410 cm mass deeply embedded in the kidney, so much so it dwarfed the other kidney. It was ugly and ominous to me, and I shook inside. Today's U of W doctor said, May 1st. The left kidney will be removed with the stranger, intact, and Ben thus begins his journey. Ironic because he is a part of his friend Daniel's : Relay for Life Cancer group called United for Hope. Now my amazing son joins the fight in a very personal way, and with great dignity and unwavering faith that this is another battle in which he will again be victorious.

We welcome you to follow us on this journey. We indeed will embrace your well wishes. Your prayers if you so desire. Your support. But Benjamin does not want this to be about him. He wants it to be about awareness and contributing to finding hope, resources and treatments for more birthdays for everyone with cancer. He believes in Uniting for Hope and will be asking next blog for you to match his pledge of $410.00 to say to that 410 cm tumor, the one the size of a baseball, YOU LOSE. You just got "knocked out of the park!" I love this. You can learn more of the incredible events that led to this amazing story with so many twists and turns.  Please watch for the next blog. The link will be there for your contribution to Daniel and Benjamin's and other's, Relay for Life/Cancer team:  United for Hope (I've joined, and enjoyed going last year to visit the event on the AHS field and you may enjoy joining as well.) But more than that, I believe our journey will help you see that miracles happen, even in the face of adversity. I LOVE you son. More than you can ever imagine. I just am going to need some serious help keeping you hogtied to the hospital bed and then to your recovery bed. But I have no doubt, this is a journey that will once again make us realize that truly, life is a gift. Make every day count. Don't sweat the small stuff, and things you can't change. But above all, keep faith, hope, and humor. Next blog writing, I'll have the link to match my son's pledge as well as what Benjamin asked the doctor,  first question as he told him the "news." It got an OMGosh out of me, and a smile, when I needed it. CHEERS to you all. And thank you son, for letting your story, be my story, and all who want to know it, as well. :-)