Party Time!

Sunday was a day planned to bring family and friends together to celebrate life and all that life affords. A chance for family to be together under happier circumstances. Well with just under 500 people showing up for Ben’s Big Bash (the official name of course) it was all of that and so much more. The big ban started at 8am with the beginnings of setup and with over 50 volunteers we were able to transform a normal city block into the most amazing carnival setting. A group of a dozen people made a massive balloon arch over 40 ft long to go over the main bandstand area. By 1pm we had setup the entire block and had cleared everyone out. The main festivities started at 3pm with the SF Chinese New Year Dance and Drum corp who led people into the carnival area, followed immediately by a martial arts demonstration by Ben’s old (or not so old) classmates. Before people had a chance to take a breath and take pause the fun and surprises kept on coming. We had arranged for a dozen Lucas actors to show up, this included Darth Vedar, storm troopers and other characters I just don’t know. Just before hand I went to see if Ben was well enough to come out and see the characters. Due to his medication he was getting extreme anxiety and panic attacks not to mention rage attacks. This is not him, this is the steroids and some of the other drugs. Anything more than 5 people around him and he starts to get uncomfortable. So when I asked if he wanted to meet the Darth, he said just this, ‘I don’t feel well, but can my friends play with him?’ How many kids do you know of who are first looking out for their friends. So amid theme music they came out and the crowd went crazy. Kids and adults alike swarmed around these genuine and incredibly impressive suits, which came complete with power sources for built-in microphone and speakers (to do voice modification). The highlight of this of course was getting Darth and one storm trooper to come 1:1 and meet Ben in a more comfortable situation.

Cupertino, San Jose and Sunnyvale made their entrance around 5pm, with 7 cars in full lights, and 2 motorcycles. Now these guys know how to make an entrance, the only ones who came close was the fire department that showed up an hour later with 2 engine companies. Both groups stayed until well after closing for all the kids to play with. Some of them came on their day off while others volunteered for this special assignment. We are most thankful, especially a special sergeant that walked his huge bike into Ben’s garage to again let him look at the bike and talk to the sergeant 1:1. Ben was actually really quite active just couldn’t be mobbed. He did take some walks of the carnival, but key family members just helped caring friends and family at a comfortable distance. Of the carnival rides, the dunk tank, the t-shirt decorating, and jump house were clearly the winners of the popularity (and long line) contest.

Overall I think a great time was had by all. There was of course a bit of an undercurrent that ran through the adults as we know the purpose of the party, however there was lots of laughter, lots of smiles and lots of camaraderie among the whole crowd. We had a huge sheet that all the kids signed, and then a massive sign book with pictures that everyone else left messages in. This will hopefully be the memories that the family will take with them for years to come.

So overall it was an amazing time, and so many people did so much to help. It is truly heart warming to so many people, some of whom don’t even know the family who want to help. Just goes to show how unbelievable people can be when put to the test. Now I am in Washington DC (after an excruciating red-eye out that night) for another 8 hours before going to Dallas for 36 hours and then stumbling my way home hopefully by Thursday. All I have to say is I can’t wait for a good and long night sleep.