About Ethan
Ethan had a gift for noticing who needed him most.
He never cared much for what others thought when he did something he knew was right. While everyone else was caught up in play, Ethan was the one who'd spot someone sitting alone, looking sad and go sit beside them.
One day, someone in our family wasn't feeling well. While everyone else was together, having a good time, Ethan chose to leave the group. He went and sat with him, held his hand, talked with him, and hugged him. Ethan was eight years old.
He was generous with everything he had - his toys, his snacks, whatever he was holding. There was only one exception: his red Hot Wheels cars he loved fiercely. He'd let you play with them, but he'd never let them out of his sight for good. More than once, the whole family went looking for those cars with him.
At home, Ethan helped his dad with chores without being asked, and helped his mom in the kitchen, always with a smile, like it was the best part of his day.
In his early childhood, one of his teachers came to us with a story of her own: she'd been having a hard day, and Ethan was the only one who noticed. He walked up and simply asked her, "Why are you sad?" Then he spent the rest of the day trying to bring back her smile.
Six days before he was taken from us, on Christmas Eve, a child next door became critically ill. Ethan was in pain himself that night. Still, he prayed for her. He asked God to heal her.
That was Ethan. He never waited for the big moment or the easy one. He just did whatever kindness the moment in front of him called for.
In his memory, and in honor of his heart, we're asking you to do the same: one kind act, however big or small, for whoever needs it. Then come back and share it here, with Ethan, and for him.