Services for Benny J. Moten

Benny J. Moten, 57, of Dunlap passed away on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 6:01 pm at his home surrounded by his family and friends.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, June 26, 2009 at 12:00 pm at Northwood's Community Church in Dunlap. A visitation will be held on Thursday, June 25, 2009 from 5 to 7 pm at Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church. The Rev. Cal Rychener will officiate. Burial will follow the service at Resurrection Cemetery in Peoria.

Memorials may be made to Gideon's International or to Northwood's Community Church. Online tributes and condolences may be submitted to ww.mem.com.

Benny's obituary will appear in Thursday's Peoria Journal Star (www.pjstar.com).

Moments to remember

Today Benny is in a coma. He has been non responsive for the last 48 hours. We do our best to keep him comfortable while maintaining his dignity.

The hospice nurse came by this morning. She said (as best as I can recall), "Although, Benny appears to us to be in a restful sleep, he is engaged in some very important work . . . spiritual work . . . work required for his journey into the presence of the Lord . . . to move into eternity. His hearing is intensified in this state . . . we need to keep his environment as free from distraction and noise as possible." She has suggested that only immediate family visit with him.

We encourage you to please continue to comment on this blog. We read them to Benny and know that he hears them and is comforted by your comments.

It occurs to me that this is likely the last Father's Day, on earth, Angie and Josh will spend with their father? How will they remember this day?

I'm sure they will remember our "Sunday Dinner" with family and friends. I'm sure they will remember the team-cooking of Aunt Monica and Ms. Georgia. I'm sure they'll remember the crazy stories told by Uncle Jesse. I'm sure they'll remember Andy's disgust (actually everyone's) disgust for the smell and taste of chit'lings. (Josh wanted them but he was even disgusted with the smell and the taste that I'm sure he'll never ask for them again.) I'm sure they'll remember the giggles of Aunt Mary and the snickers of Aunt Barbara.

But, how will they remember their dad on this day? When they reflect on Father's Day 2009 . . . what memories of their father will this day hold?

"Back when I was a child

Before life removed all the innocence

My father would lift me high

And dance with my mother and me and then

Spin me around till I fell asleep

Then up the stairs he would carry me

And I knew for sure I was loved

If I could get another chance

Another walk, another dance with him

I'd play a song that would never, ever end

How I'd love, love, love to dance with my father again"

Luther Vandroos - Dance with my Father Again

Stored Treasures in Heaven - Eternal Investment

As I sit with Benny and reflect upon our time together, I realize his entire life has been about storing for himself treasure in heaven.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also - Matthew 6:19."

After 15 years , most of our appliances need to be replaced, . . .,the cabinets are falling apart, . . . , the cover on the light in the shower fell and broke - with that strange Peoria earthquake we had about a year ago - and we haven't replaced it, . . ., we can't get the exhaust pipe off Josh's car because of the rust, . . . , there are cracks in the plaster due to settling, . . ., and we are constantly testing the home security system so that it notifies us should someone try to break in and steal our "stuff'/earthly treasure. The thick and thirsty towels we bought years ago have long lost their thirst; and the plush supple leather sofa we bought (because it was going to last forever . . . well that 15 year old leather sofa is still with us BUT, though leather gets better with age, it doesn't necessarily look better) just looks like an old-worn-out sofa.

It is true, all of Benny's earthly "stuff" (earthly treasure) is rusting, wearing out, breaking down, and just looking ugly. Even his earthly body is
wearing out, breaking down, and shutting down. But those treasures that he has stored in heaven are kept safe and secure by the Master Keeper. The heavenly treasure are those selfless works of service, compassionate acts of love, steadfast loyalty to friends and family, and uncompromising commitment to God.

Benny's voice is very low now, he can't keep his eyes open and struggles to swallow. . . his body is shutting down. He remains conscious and recognizes faces. The nurse says his hearing will be the last to leave so we spend a lot of time talking to him. He especially likes to hear the comments from this blog.

We appreciate your continuous love, prayers, and support during these times and are very much encouraged by your comments. We've even learned some things about Benny from several of the comments. If you want to tell Benny how he has affected your life (treasure stored in heaven), use this blog to do so. We'll read it to him. To paraphrase a poet . . .

"Give Benny his flowers

(kind words,

reflections on what he has meant to you,

favorite moments shared. . .)

while he still lives so that he can see (hear) the beauty that they bring. . .

just one tulip right now

than a truck load of roses when he is dead."

Benjamin and Benny ..................Georgia and Benny

Forward this blog as you feel appropriate.

Brenda

Take time to be grateful

Looks like I'll (Brenda) be the blogger for Benny for a while. He remains in good spirit but is extremely weak, and, at times, a bit incoherent. (This morning he was concerned that he was going to be late for a meeting at work. He said he wasn't prepared and didn't remember what the meeting was about. . . . O'kay I've had those strange moments when I was awakened. . . . maybe that is not out of the ordinary :-) ).

Benny and I (Brenda) spend a lot of time talking and reflecting. The most important topic we have discussed this week is this "Is there any unfinished business." And I (Brenda) love his (Benny's) response. . . and this is parphased to the best of my recollection. . .

"Brenda, I think I have made amends with whoever I needed to years ago. I pray I have put into place the supports you (Brenda) need. Angie and Andy will figure it out as they go along and if they can't Larry and Becky will help them along. I have put Josh in God's hands and God has never failed me. Josh knows that you (Brenda) love him and trust you (Brenda) above all others. So. . . I guess I have no unfinished business. That said, I want to be sure before I leave this world that Josh has 'figured it out', . . . 'know who he is' . . . and has strong, reliable, and loving support to be available to him as a loyal and wise friend, mentor, and guide'. I know how hard it is to not have a father figure to really understand you (Benny) and to help you (Benny) to manuver life as an adult. I pray God provides that person for Josh. I want to know and be assured of that Josh has this before I leave this life. But if that doesn't happen before I leave, I know God will provide."

I am so grateful that Benny's Aunt Ronnie Jean and cousins Pat, Sally, and Tina visited us last week. Also his childhood friends Cora, Arthur, and Ivory along with their mother Mattie visited us.

God continues to bless us. Friends from church (Susan, Dave, Bobbie, Chris, and Kate) stopped by to pray for and with us tonight.

So what is Benny's status?

Benny continues to lose weight (121 lbs currently). . . he is lucid most of the time. . . he struggles to swallow at times. . . he seems to be severing times with all that is earthly. . . he continues to be in good spirit.. . AND, he continues to be 'quite the gentleman'.

Benny will forever be the love of Brenda's life. Now that's a yea God!!!!