The EP7 Soccer Shootout

The first EP7 Soccer Shootout was a huge success, thanks to the support of our community and the surrounding areas. Twenty two teams comprised of both kids and adults from four different states played in games yesterday.

 

These were not only soccer players. There were kids that play football, softball and other sports that haven’t played soccer in years if ever, alumni soccer players, college level players joined as well. There were parents, teens from local schools, and members of the community who attended just to show their support.

 

As I walked around and watched them all on the field, on the sidelines laughing and hanging out, and having a great time, a sense of gratitude came over me. You can say many things about our area. Believe me, I’ve heard them all. But to see the love and support from such a tight-knit group of folks is not something you find many places. For me personally, experiencing this support has touched my heart, and provided me comfort in the darkest of times.

So I want you to know how much it meant to me for you all to show up to support our beloved E in the game he loved, our family, and the students that will benefit from the scholarship.
This event could not have happened without the help of a large amount of people.

My list of thanks spreads wide and far. I have included everyone I can think of, and truly hope I did not forget anyone. I realize there are those I may not have even known, that worked behind the scenes.

Many thanks to: Mr. Pastor, Mrs. Thomas, and the hardworking students of the National Honor Society at Wheelersburg High School for organizing, and running this event. Thanks to the Shellie Miller, the admins and the staff at Wheelersburg High School. Thanks to Jessica Waller for creating and maintaining the shootout page, and answering a million and one of my questions.

Thanks to those who prepped the fields: Todd Jarvis, Kevin Powell, and the volunteers both kids and adults.

Thanks to Mike Hagans, and the students and volunteers who officiated the games.

Thanks to the T-shirt sponsors: Deemers Grocery, Hall’s Auto Parts, Misty’s Cone Shop, Kona Ice, Imageworks, Headlines, and Shirt Stop.

Thanks to the concession donors: The Vastine Family (Misty’s Cone Shop, and Valley Foods), Little Caesar’s of Wheelersburg, Bud Sharp, Kona Ice, Deemer’s Grocery, Melanie Mahlmeister, and Giovanni’s of Wheelersburg.

We are thrilled to hear the EP7 Soccer Shootout will be an annual event! Be sure to follow the EP7 Soccer Shootout page and The Ethan Pauley Scholarship Fund page on Facebook for future updates on the tournament and the scholarship fund.

My sincere thanks again for all your support! It is such a blessing to a part of this community. God Bless!

Me and the Huntington XFC travel team E used to play in since sixth grade.

Jim, the three youngest boys and I with our niece and nephews that came in Michigan to play.

Posted on Facebook 5/15/16
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The Love of a Little Brother

These past few months have been full of more than a lifetime of sadness, but I want to appreciate the precious moments we have, as difficult as that may be at times.

One of these moments, surrounds our youngest son and his faith and perseverance.

Eli is eight years old and in the second grade. While struggling with the loss of the bond he shared with E, he has worked hard to maintain his schoolwork.

This is the latest test score progress in his Accelerated Math class. He's achieved a fifth grade level!

Yet more important than any scores, is the decision Eli recently made to accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.

We couldn't be more proud. Nor could our love for him be any stronger.
We let him know every single day...

"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and future." - Jeremiah 29:11

 

Posted on Facebook 4/18/16

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Ethan's Headstone

The stark reality of E's absence in our home is something we will always have to endure. Last night that reality stood out.

As any mom who has been a stay at home parent to six boys, I was always in search of ways to better budget our family finances. Giving the boy’s haircuts at home was one of those ways. Surely, I thought I could master this task…..the boys begged to differ.

Every time I brought out the clippers, they ran in the other direction. The process became quite a struggle, and the times between seemed to grow much too short since I would put it off. Ethan always seemed a willing participant, I must say. He never complained and was quite content to look dapper.

He was always willing to ask my thoughts on his clothing and shoe choices. It made me feel appreciated that he respected my opinion at a time when many boys would be sure a mom couldn’t have valuable input. Those small but significant moments stand out to me now as most treasured.

Through the years, I grew to feel giving haircuts was more than a hassle than much else. I would relent and take them to a professional from time to time, or let it grow until they begged me to cut it out of humorous desperation.

This past year E began cutting his own hair, probably out of the necessity of getting it done. He was one of those who if no one else would do the necessary work, to find a way to accomplish it.

Once he became adept at giving himself a haircut, I asked him to cut his younger brothers’ hair. He accommodated me, and the boys seemed quite content with him doing it as well. I was so relieved to relinquish this task, that I bought him his own pair of clippers to use.

While it may seem small, this task took a burden off our shoulders in both time and money. In fact, he took many small burdens off us, helping with his little brothers, and around the house to make our lives easier.

So last night as I took out his clippers to give the boys’ haircuts, my thoughts were bittersweet. Little things such as this remind me how I hope he knew how much we loved and appreciated the many ways he helped us and what it meant to us.

But more than that, how much we loved him and were so proud of the young man he had become.

For in an instant, he was gone from this life.

A word not spoken, a love not expressed. It’s the small things we take for granted. Cherish those.

For this world and all that it is, shall pass too…in an instant.

"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." Psalm 90:12

E's headstone was set today. It was wet from rain when I took this picture. It is beautiful. We simply can't express in words our gratitude to the anonymous donor who helped make this happen.

 

Posted on Facebook 4/12/16

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A Special Condolence Letter

A few weeks ago we received this beautifully written letter of condolence from our House Representative, Terry Johnson.

Reading through it brought tears to my eyes and a smile to my face.

Thank you Dr. Johnson, for your valuable time and thoughtfulness to offer our family your support. The kindness you have expressed will not be forgotten.

Posted on Facebook 4/4/16
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Easter-Our First Holiday Without Ethan

I have told you stories of our son E. Yet, there is another thing I wish to be known.

It is the single most important thing about him. And that was his decision to accept Jesus Christ as his savior.

I can say with certainty, that my son is now with his Lord....

This my friends, is what sustains us. Each and every day.

Christ took our place in death for our sins, so that we may be reconciled to God through our faith in Him.

Death was defeated through his resurrection. Our Christ LIVES, and so shall we who believe.

"Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, for he has risen." Luke 24:5-6

Posted on Facebook 3/27/16
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The Ethan Pauley Memorial Scholarship

Immediately after Ethan's death, we wanted to do something to honor his memory. A dear friend suggested setting up a scholarship in his name that people could donate to in lieu of sending flowers to the funeral home.

An account at Wheelersburg High School was set up to facilitate these donations. A Facebook page was created as well.

The response was overwhelming.

Donations poured in. EP7 wristbands, and decals were created and sold to assist in collecting funds for the scholarship.

Over the years, I’ve spent time working in professions promoting both human and animal welfare. I often thought how I had seen the worst people have to offer, time and time again. These experiences left me, at various times pondering how little goodness seemed left in the world.

Then came the inconceivable loss of our son just two months ago today. This loss has taken our view of reality and scattered it all over. We will be picking those pieces up for the rest of our lives.

Yet, throughout this horrific ordeal, we have experienced how family, friends, and communities can come together, putting their differences aside, while working for the good of others. Often times, it is a tragedy that reveals the true love and kindness the human spirit can offer.

As of yesterday, I learned the Ethan Pauley Memorial Scholarship Fund has received a total of $9,619.40.

To say we are amazed...would be an understatement.

These donations arrived from Wheelersburg, and the surrounding communities, but they also came from West Virginia, and Kentucky to Michigan, Indiana, and possibly even farther.
I cannot express how much the growth of this fund means to us, to honor the memory of our son with something so worthwhile is priceless.

Ethan was at the age he was seeking to find his own path, and he was making plans for his future. He had his whole life ahead of him. Though he was an ordinary teenager in many ways, he set himself apart, too. He had a sincere desire to make the world a better place by putting others ahead of his own needs or wants. He so wished to see his friends happy, to see them succeed. He never wished to be acknowledged for these efforts. He brought dedication and enthusiasm, we hear it often now, in such a strong way to whatever he pursued!

A moment that stands out to me from mid-January of this year.

We were running an errand, and E noticed a homeless man with his dog outside of this office. He immediately went digging into his wallet. Parents of teens are quite aware of how stingy they can be with their money. Knowing full well he had very little himself, I watched as he pulled out every cent he had, walk over and give it to the man. After giving him the money, he shook the stranger's hand and gave his dog a pat.

I remember how touched I was to see my teenage son treat strangers so kindly time and time again. It was one of those glimpses, as I've mentioned before, you see the type of person your child is growing up to be. . .

Since our E cannot fulfill his hopes and dreams, it is our desire to be able to help others, in the spirit of our son, as that is who he was.

You are helping us do this. And for that, we are truly grateful.

"Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever."- Psalm 106:1-2

Posted on Facebook 3/22/16

Walmart Tees & The National Indoor Soccer Championship

I arrived in Cleveland on Saturday afternoon, not knowing much of what to expect. It was a hectic morning, therefore I hadn't much time to process the reality of attending my first soccer tournament without Ethan.

We settled into our hotel, then immediately had to drive over to the soccer complex in where Nationals was being held. As I walked through the door, that reality came full circle.

Looking around, I observed a large amount of people. There were players on various teams from all over Ohio, Illinois, Virginia, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Canada. Teams with sponsors such as Puma, and Lexus. At that moment, it hit me how proud E would have been to have the opportunity to play in such a soccer tournament of this magnitude. I could imagine the smirky little smile he would have had walking into that tournament.

To think of him missing this opportunity, and the bonding experience we could have shared as mother and son, was too much for me to bear.

The Walmart Tees went into the tournament without five of their original players. They were able to recruit three new ones. The team played two games that night, and one the next afternoon. The games were organized in a 6 v 6 with forty minute games. They had a total of seven players, leaving them with only one sub to give breaks. It was apparent by the middle of the game, our players were becoming tired. But they pressed on. At this time, the opposing teams began subbing their players. I watched as they replaced their players with what seemed another whole team.

What struck me though, was how well our team played under these difficult circumstances without a single complaint. They pushed on till the very end, not giving up, scoring a few goals in each game.

As I watched them play, I went through every emotion one could imagine. For the first two games, I wanted to cheer them on, but every time I tried, flashbacks to the many years of cheering my E out there on the soccer field, consumed me. His absence, hurt my soul. Deeply.

But as they continued on with sheer determination, I observed that same passion I did when E played. Those thoughts began to pass, and by the last game, I was able to cheer for them.

They gave it their all. In every way. Those boys ran, passed, dribbled and kicked the ball till they were physically and mentally beyond exhaustion. Their tennis player goalie blocked shot after shot.

At the conclusion of the final game, the scores were against them. But that didn't matter to them...or me. No, because this tournament wasn't about the scoreboard. It was about much more.

Perseverance, courage, a love of the game, playing with all odds stacked against them, and coping with the loss of their friend and teammate. They played hard, and well to honor our beloved E. And for that…..they are true winners.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

Posted on Facebook 3/2/16 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10205512894370747&set=a.1400614824401.2057436.1503211485&type=3&theater