Saturday, November 8, 2008
Learning From Brenden Foster
Eleven year-old Brenden Foster is a boy dying of leukemia who wishes things were better for homeless people. He has asked that people do what they can to support Nickelsville. On Friday, KOMO reports, a group came by the homeless camp with sandwiches to fulfill Brenden's wish.
"I was coming back from one of my clinic appoints and I saw this big thing of homeless people, and then I thought I should just get them something. ... They're probably starving, so, give them a chance."
I'm no sap, but this video, with the dying Brenden being so matter of fact about how people who need help should get it, moves me to tears every time. At eleven, he's grasped what should be obvious to us all. We're a community, and should care for each other. What could be more elementary? May the spirit of Brenden live on in all of us.
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34 comments:
My hearts goes out to you Sweetie, Brenden Foster, and your family. Hugs and Love!!
Brenden is a special angel on earth.. Just saw the story and it moved me.. All our love, thoughts, prayers, and well wishes go out to Brenden, his family, and all that have the privilege to know and love him. He is a true inspiration....
makes my heart sad but yet happy... i cant stop crying...i love you lil man!!!!!!!!!
What an amazingly courageous young man. I saw this story on CNN Headline News this morning and couldn't help but observe the maturity of 11 year old Brenden Foster. I'm neither a medical doctor nor a scientist but I am an eternal optimist and I believe that God's not yet ready for him.
It's hard to conceive that someone so young, who hasn't even begun to experience life, could display this almost stoical acceptance of death. Death, our inevitable end, so mortally feared by most persons who
have lived several more years than little Brenden, must know that there can be no victory in taking little Brenden. The generous spirit displayed by this young "man" in helping the homeless at a time when more mature persons would be pre-occupied with thoughts of how to keep death at bay is in my opinion enough of a deposit into life's treasury for him to be spared for greater things.
If I happen to be right and if he is afforded the reprieve that I believe he deserves I'd like to offer to assist with whatever projects he embarks on.
May God richly bless him and his loving parents and may he against all the odds, live a long abundant and triumphant life.
Best regards,
Michael Jordan-Elcock
Tel #:-(305)515 8235
www.lifetriumphant.biz
OK buddy, I will feed the homeless. I will tell them it's from you.
God bless you!
You are so brave and humble. May God bless you and your family.
Hi Brenden,
You are a true inspiration. We have a group from my church that feeds the homeless every 3rd Saturday of the month. I will think of you when I'm helping to do my small part. God Bless you and your family.
Brenden, you're my hero. God bless.
I am a very close friend of the family and I must say that Brenden is such an inspiration to so many people.My kids and I love him so much and will miss him dearly. I know that Wendy(Brenden's mother) Would never ask of anything from anyone and only hopes that Brenden has inspired people to help others as he has tried to do. I however am asking for help for this family. I see her everyday struggling to make ends meet and they are having a hard time finding funds for his final resting place.There is a benevolence fund that has been set up for Brenden. It is at Washington Mutual bank under the Brenden Foster Cancer Fund.Thank you so much for all your comments. I know that Wendy shares comments to Brenden every night and they are very thankful for all of your support.
could you post an actual adress for the benevolence fund? I am in CT and would like to help his family. Thank you.
could you post an actual adress for the benevolence fund? I am in CT and would like to help his family. Thank you.
Brenden there is a special place in heaven and in Gods heart for you. To display such bravery and heartfelt grace to another human being when you are going thru so much. I think all of us can take a lesson in the complete beauty of such a child. God bless you and your family Brenden you are in my prayers and all those around me who as much as we didnt want to shed a tear for Leukemia wept for you and why we cannot have angels such as yourself in this world.
it never fail,..."and a child shall lead them,..." I hope more than just we adults, the children who hear this story see this courage and calm,...
Brenden you are truely an angel! Wise and couregous beyond your years, you are a true inspiration. May God bless you!!
Brenden,
My daughters and I saw your story on CNN yesterday. My daughter Jenna wrote you a song and a letter (she is 10 years old). You are in all of our prayers. I have passed your story along to other friends and relatives. We are all praying for you and your family. You are a fantastic and brave young man. You are already an angel on earth and will be in heaven. You are in my heart.
Cody-VA
Brendan you truly are a hero. No one has touched my heart as deeply as you have with your story. Looking at you i see an adult, someone who has already grown up and faces the harshness of reality. I am truly sorry that an amazing person like you has to be taken from us, but i do know you will be looking down from heaven, and will be an angel of god. Thank you for sharing your story with the world, and thank you for inspiring me to go back to school, and become a nurse. Much love, Jean Dempsey
You are an angel already Brenden. You just have to wait a bit for your wings. Love you boy. You give us all hope.
Dear Brenden and your mother Wendy,
I too saw your story today on CNN. It truly broke my heart and also made me so proud of our youth......YOU in particular. You are an amazing person and so is your mother and also the little boy who gave you a hug. I am assuming he is your brother.
You say that you want to be an angel for God. Well, you already are. After reading everyone's comments it is so amazing how you have affected so many people's lives in such a postive way! I read the note from a woman named Jean who thanked you for inspiring her to go back to nursing school. How amazing is that??!! See, God has already made you his special angel and I know that you know that.
I have struggled with diabetes for many years and have had a kidney transplant and a pancreas transplant. I am not sure why I am still here but I just trust in God that when it is my time.......it will be.
Brenden, you have inspired many people to give to the homeless and needy. I too will continue doing that but now, every single time I give, I will tell them it is in your honor. A gentleman wrote to you earlier saying the same thing.
I plan to write children's stories someday and I am inspired to write a story that involves you and your journey. I am not sure how or when it will happen or what character you will be in the story......but i assure you. I will write it and submit it. If it gets published, you and your special gift to touch the heart's of millions will be told.
You hang in there Brenden. We are all praying for you......and that is a LOT of prayers!
God Speed.
Melissa
Brenden, in all my life I have never seen anybody with as much character as yours..In the most desparate time in your life you have shown more courage and selflessness than anybody else I know..Your ten times the man I'll ever be..Be hopeful and never give up! The world needs more people like you!
Tom, 24
Iowa
BRENDAN FOR MAYOR!
More comments for this than anything else?
I guess we need more dying kids to ask us to give people a hand up.
It's a little freaky. With 736 hits to this page since Saturday, it's the most popular of all time. For some reason, a Brenden Foster Google get's this as a top hit. People have been coming from all over the world.
The world is losing a very special person with Brenden, such a courageous young soul. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. My heart breaks at the thought of someone so young, losing their life to illness. He may have had a short life, but his message will be heard for a lot longer. May heaven welcome you with open arms. You are going to make a beautiful angel sweetie.
It is with great sorrow to tell everyone that Brenden died in his mother's arms this morning, Friday, November 21st. Thanks B-man for inspiring so many people. To his family and friends, my deepest sympathy to you and thank you for sharing this beautiful angel.
Two peole who have made the most profound impact on me are Brenden Foster and Barrack Obama - in that order. Brenden is not a human being, but an angel who came to teach us the spirit of courage in the face of the most debilitating pain. I have no single doubt in my mind that Brenden was ruly an angel who came to teach us that no matter how short our stay on earth we should strive to make significance impact by touching other lives. I cried for a bit, but then I became really happy knowing he has gone to join his fellow angels in Heaven. For me, my life can never be the same again. Thanks Brenden!
Odafe Atogun, Nigeria
Two peole who have made the most profound impact on me are Brenden Foster and Barrack Obama - in that order. Brenden is not a human being, but an angel who came to teach us the spirit of courage in the face of the most debilitating pain. I have no single doubt in my mind that Brenden was truly an angel who came to teach us that no matter how short our stay on earth we should strive to make significance impact by touching other lives. I cried for a bit, but then I became really happy knowing he has gone to join his fellow angels in Heaven. For me, my life can never be the same again. Thanks Brenden!
Odafe Atogun, Nigeria
Rest In Peace Little Angel with Big Heart.
God Bless your soul and the rest of your family.
And come down to visit and guide your family as their guardian angel.
I was very saddened to hear that Brenden has passed away. My prayers to his family and friends. It has been a while since I have been touched by someone so young and innocent that cares more about others than himself. A lot of adults could learn a good lesson from this fine young man.
Dear branden out of the mouths never meant as much you will greatly missed.Gone but never forgotten.
Rest in Peace Brenden, what you did within 11 years of your life on this Earth have a million man hours in it, something few will be granted to do (losers like me), you are an inspiration, your story will never go untold, for years and years to come.
I got what you meant to me, and to so many others, your message was more than just clear, we will continue the big work you just started (www.greenhopetz.com).
Psalms 23:1-6
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life: and you will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever".
Makongoro E.
Programme Coordinator
Green Hope Organisation
P.O. Box.
Arusha -Tanzania.
emakongoro@yahoo.ca
Brenden, you're an angel sent by God to help and inspire others. I watched your story and it really broke my heart seeing you suffering at young age but even thou you have to live the earth as young as you are right now you surely you would be spending your whole life with GOD in eternity. Brenden, THANK YOU VERY MUCH for your very very generous heart.You have many lives. You have already ACCOMPLISHED your MISSION here on earth. May GOD bless you and your mother always. We love you
brenden I can not say anything because your heart is so big ,Just I wanna say I LOVE YOU and I wish your health because you must be alive big man
Wendy - My heart goes out to you. You were guardian of a beautiful soul. Many children see with clarity much greater than adults, and your son's vision was thankfully broadcast across the US media and beyond. At a time when our charities are stretched thinnest with highest demand in our floundering economy, you son's call is like a clarion cry that is able to touch people in a way no other message could.
I feel blessed to have heard Brenden's story and thus I feel as I have known him. He is a young man who will never be forgotten. Brenden, rest assured you are with the Angels in heaven and making a difference here on earth. You have touched millions of people and have done more than most people will do in their entire lifetimes. Brende, you were wise beyond your years. God bless you Brenden and rest assure that you have made a difference.
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