Ethan Ryder

I always received a shy and sweet little smile everytime I said hi to Ethan. Never once did I get a glare or a pouty face from this boy. He was happy, well behaived and all around one of the sweetest little kids I have ever had the privledge to know.

Ethan is the son of Trampes and Kristin. Trampes is a good friend of Adam and Kristin is a good friend of mine! We all met at college so many years ago. Ethan was born 9 months after Adam and I got married. :) That's right, our wedding night was the start of his life! I had a special connection with him (that was probably one sided) because of that. Everytime I would look at him it would remind me of our very special day. I remember the day Kristin told me she was pregnant. We were sitting in a coffee shop downtown Oconomowoc, Wi with another one of our good friends Stephanie. Stephanie's parents own the shop so we would go there often for the best Chai latte ever! We sat there and played catch up for a while and then she revealed the news to me. I was overjoyed for her. She was going to make an amazing mom. And she did!

Over the years I watched Ethan grow into a wonderful little boy. I would see him on occasion but distance would keep us apart from our good friends for a few years. Adam and I lived in Mn, Kristin lived in In and Stephanie lived in Wi. We lived in three different states but not for long. By 2010 we were all living in Illinois and only a few miles from each other. We reconnected and began going to church together, hanging out with friends and having play dates. Our kids were going to be best buds. They all loved playing with each other and Ethan was the best little playmate to our sweet Alivia.

Sunday 19, 2011
We were on our way home from a Father's Day weekend getaway with Adam's family. I got a text five minutes from home that made me pull my hands to my mouth and let out a gasp and my eyes filled with tears. Ethan was in the ER because he had stopped breathing while he was at his dad's for the weekend. Kristin didn't know details of what happened, and she might never know, but she needed prayer for her little guy.

I got on the computer and began asking for prayer through facebook and emailing some friends. Prayers were pouring into to God all over the world for this little boy. We were praying for healing and that this little boy would get better quickly.

Monday 20, 2011
I received another text. Ethan was getting worse. He was breathing on his own but their was no brain activity. Kristin began to prepare herself for Ethan's final hours. Her hope is in the Lord that Ethan was with Jesus singing and dancing. He was happy and being the little sweet boy full of laughter that we all knew running around in Heaven. She had a miraculous peace about her that only God can give someone during a time like this. We continued to pray for Ethan, now we needed a miracle.

Tuesday 21, 2011

I didn't hear from Kristin most of the day. I continued to pray. I sent her a text asking how he was doing...it said, "the same" My heart sank. I prayed more. I tried to go about my day because I had so many things to get done but I would find myself crying during my tasks and I would hug Alivia whenever I could. Thank you God for her.

3:35pm (Indiana time) Ethan Ryder went to be with our Lord.

You will be greatly missed and forever loved Ethan. We may not understand why these things happen. I ask God, "WHY?" We may never know why while we are hear on earth. God knows. I will trust in Him.