On December 1, 2014, I received an email that has changed my life forever. One of my students had been diagnosed with cancer. One of my fifth grade students. An 11-year-old. A child with so much life left to live.
The next day was the most challenging school day I’ve ever faced as a teacher. Trying to explain to a room full of 10- and 11-year-olds that their friend and classmate has a terrible illness and may not be able to come back to school seemed an impossible task. How do you explain that to children?? Through lots of tears, questions, and prayers, we managed to make our friend Ethan some beautiful cards. I was incredibly inspired by the words of encouragement that my babies came up with.
They have since rallied around Ethan and created a community that cannot be explained. Two of Ethan’s best friends coined a hashtag, #EthanStrong. It caught on like wildfire. Donations were collected in our school for gift cards for the family. T-shirts were made and sold out within hours. Bracelets, cups, and necklaces were made to show our love and support for Ethan.
Y’all, I’m telling you. This kid is a rockstar. I’ve never met someone with so much joy, potential, faith, love, and passion as Ethan. He has kept his smile the entire time and I haven’t heard him complain once. Don’t get me wrong, he definitely knows how to tell the nurses exactly what he wants, but he does so in a gentle and loving way.
His mom has been such an inspiration to me and many others as well. She has remained completely hopeful that God will bring Ethan through this 100%. She even encourages me when I’m down! She is always optimistic and truly believes that this is the Lord’s will and that He is using Ethan to touch so many lives.
I also must say I have been so impressed with the Tennessee football team. They have come out to visit Ethan several times and spent genuine time with the patients at Children’s hospital. I’m sure every one of those kids loved the attention from the UT players, but I know for a fact that Ethan was completely stoked about it! He is obsessed with football and Tennessee, so those visits were a dream for him!
What I’ve learned from this is that God can use ANYONE, even an 11-year old boy, to show His glory and grace. He is using this precious child to touch lives and impact the world for His kingdom. He is demonstrating his love for Ethan and all of us. Even though it’s confusing and hard to understand, I know He is using this situation for our good.
Please join me in praying for Ethan, his family, our school and community. Pray for healing and God’s glory to be seen. Pray for restoration. Pray for a quick and painless recovery. But most of all, pray that people see Christ and His love for us.
These photos are from Ethan’s visit to school a couple weeks ago. The kids (and teachers!) were SO excited to see him!