 |
| Our last family pictures together with E-November 2016. |
With all the work to do settling in our new home, I found we kept mostly to the projects at hand instead of getting to know people right off. Ethan began playing soccer late that summer, and while I still had met only a few people, Ethan quickly seemed to know everyone.
As someone recently told me, it was like “Where's Waldo”, and Ethan became “Waldo” within months, because he immediately found a warm welcome by this community. Soon, Ethan could be seen here and there in so many photos people would post: at a game, in the cheer block, playing soccer, or just hanging with friends. I never paid much attention to that being “special,” though I was glad he transitioned so easily with the move. Looking back, I wish I had realized how really amazing it was, how he made a place for himself in Wheelersburg from the moment he arrived. He truly embraced and loved this town very much, and he did so from the start.
 |
| Our community gathered together to pray around the school after Ethan's death-https://rivervet.smugmug.com/Community/Community-Mournes-Ethan-Pauley/ |
As someone recently told me, it was like “Where's Waldo”, and Ethan became “Waldo” within months, because he immediately found a warm welcome by this community. Soon, Ethan could be seen here and there in so many photos people would post: at a game, in the cheer block, playing soccer, or just hanging with friends. I never paid much attention to that being “special,” though I was glad he transitioned so easily with the move. Looking back, I wish I had realized how really amazing it was, how he made a place for himself in Wheelersburg from the moment he arrived. He truly embraced and loved this town very much, and he did so from the start.
And they loved him in return.
I didn't realize the magnitude of the ties he had built so many places here until the end of his senior year began to approach. As any mother, I wanted him to leave the area to attend a good college, play soccer, and do something big. Create a life. Ethan did not see the same vision I had for him. He was making his own plan. What he talked of was staying here in Burg, going to college in the local area, and opening up a business, because everything he wanted was here; he so loved this community.
 |
| The Wheelersburg High School announcement of Ethan's wake and funeral arrangements |
I didn't realize the magnitude of the ties he had built so many places here until the end of his senior year began to approach. As any mother, I wanted him to leave the area to attend a good college, play soccer, and do something big. Create a life. Ethan did not see the same vision I had for him. He was making his own plan. What he talked of was staying here in Burg, going to college in the local area, and opening up a business, because everything he wanted was here; he so loved this community.
 |
| Article by Portsmouth Daily Times-http://portsmouth-dailytimes.com/sports/5389/titans-honor-pauley-with-orange-out |
At the time, I couldn't understand the deep connection. My own childhood was spent moving around from state to state. I was a bit of a Gypsy, and I did not know the significance of growing up in a small town and developing strong bonds to the place and the people. I could not fathom what would lead me to fully experience the impact of love in a tight knit community, either.
As soon as we received the news, from that moment, I saw and felt, our whole family saw and felt, an outpouring of support and giving from not only Wheelersburg, but from many surrounding towns in such a way, words cannot really explain. They certainly cannot be enough to thank you all, either. The sports related rivalries melted away from that moment, and the reason my son loved this place was so clear to me.
 |
| Show of support by the area schools |
Many people from all over this area and beyond have worked very hard to be here for all of us. You made sure that we did not have to stop and worry over a cost no parent ever dares to consider: the cost to bury their child. Beyond that, you have all made sure we lacked for nothing, no service, no item, no need was overlooked. Prepared Food, snacks, beverages, paper products, offers of so many kind services, laundry items, firewood, monetary donations, gift cards, the use of the school for the wake, jewelry tokens, the #7 wristbands and headbands, suit rentals for the service, clothing and shoes for the boys to attend both the wake and funeral, cards, blankets, homemade cards and banners from the schools, messages, memorial dvds, and shirts, the kindness of area soccer and sports teams to dedicate their season or games to Ethan’s memory, changing websites, team colors, cheers and ribbons to orange in order to support him and us, the lovely newspaper articles, picture collages, pictures, activity books, flowers, plants, wind chimes, plaques, the hug around the school, handmade signs, and both of Ethan's retired number 7 jerseys.
Please know that not one message of kind thoughts and prayers have gone unnoticed. The lining of the street by area schools as we passed with Ethan to lay him to rest. . . these things mean so much and will stay with us for the rest of our lives.
There were those who worked behind the scenes, an effort that took a multitude of hands. Many I did not even know, may never know, or be able to thank in person. We are truly grateful. I have no doubt the Lord's presence was at hand.
 | |
|
Please know that not one message of kind thoughts and prayers have gone unnoticed. The lining of the street by area schools as we passed with Ethan to lay him to rest. . . these things mean so much and will stay with us for the rest of our lives.
There were those who worked behind the scenes, an effort that took a multitude of hands. Many I did not even know, may never know, or be able to thank in person. We are truly grateful. I have no doubt the Lord's presence was at hand.
 |
| Friends of Ethan at work showing their support. |
The tragedy of the loss of our son is more than I can yet comprehend, but you all made sure the details I could not stop to consider did not go without being addressed and handled with love and care.
This community and those beyond have thought of it all.
Every. Single. Thing.
And thank you just doesn't seem enough.
Your generosity and kindness has shown me what I never understood or experienced before. . the deep value of community. God Bless you all. Thank you for honoring our beloved E.
 |
| Another area school showing their support. |
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Colossians 3:12-15.
 |
| Another area school showing support. |
Posted on Facebook 2/4/16
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10205344137951942&set=a.1400614824401.2057436.1503211485&type=3&theater
No comments:
Post a Comment