Oh where do I begin describing this little boy? I have often characterized Keeton as the sprinkles in my fun-fetti cake. Keeton was everything I didn't know I needed, but God knew. He embodied laughter, joy, and love. There was never a dull moment with Keeton around. He was my walking sunshine. 

He may have been small in stature, but he made up for it in personality and spirit. Keeton's self-appointed mission in life was to ensure everyone he encountered smiled and laughed. Sometimes he "took one for the team" so to speak at school in order to brighten his classmates' days. Several of his friends and teachers stopped by in the weeks following the accident to share their favorite Keeton memories. They recounted story after story of Keeton shenanigans and how they could always count on him to cheer them up. He just had so much joy, it bubbled over and filled the room. 

He never saw a stranger. He viewed people he had never met as friends that he just didn't have the opportunity to claim yet. He was determined to make everyone his friend even those who were not always kind to him. 

He was gifted with the ability to play any sport.  He played soccer, baseball, and had even begun training to run cross country. While he enjoyed playing all sports, he loved basketball.  From the age of five, he found a peace in the dribbling of the ball, the squeaking of sneakers on the court, and the swish of the net.  And what he lacked in height, he made up in drive and heart.  If the ball came loose, he was going after it. He spent hours watching highlights of some of the basketball greats: Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Spud Webb, and Muggsy Bogues.  He knew height was genetic and height does not run in the family, so he was concerned he would not be able to play for the NBA. However, he changed his thought pattern when he learned that at only 5'3", Muggsy Bogues had a successful basketball career. In fact, Keeton told me to just change his name to Buggsy, but that is a story for another day.

Keeton loved music. He sang and danced everywhere we went. It didn't matter where we were or who may be watching. He never just walked places. He danced across the parking lot, in the aisles of stores, and in the classroom. At around 3 or 4-years-old, we were in a restaurant when Keeton very enthusiastically announced that it was his turn to say the blessing. "Normal" wasn't (and still isn't) good enough for him, so there was no bowing his head, closing his eyes, "thank you God for the food" blessing. Keeton stood up in the booth, threw his head back, lifted his hands, and sang at the top of his little lungs,

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

O my soul, worship His holy Name.

Sing like never before, O my soul.

I’ll worship Your holy Name.

As soon as Keeton began to sing Matt Redman and Steve Angrisano's "10,000 Reasons," I opened my eyes and discreetly looked around to gauge the room so to speak. Ayden's face started turning red, and he slid down in the booth. I reached out to try to get Keetons' attention to hopefully get him to lower his voice, but then I noticed that the other patrons had put their forks down and bowed their heads. I simply let Keeton finish the chorus, realizing how incredibly blessed I was to be the mama of a little boy who was not ashamed of his love of God. And in true Keeton fashion, he finished singing and said, "And all God's people said, 'Amen and Amen.'" He dropped his hands and looked around at the other people. A big grin came over his face, and he proclaimed, "Time to eat, y'all!" (KB's "10K," a version of "10,000 Reasons" became one Keeton's favorite songs.)

Just before his 8th birthday, Keeton gave his heart to Jesus. He, too, had a request about his baptism. He wanted to be baptized in the river. The river was way too cold in February for a baptism, so we waited until May 26. From that point on, Keeton tried to make sure everyone knew about his Jesus. 

Because of his love of music, he longed to share Jesus through his own songs. He was learning to play the guitar to aid him in this endeavor. He would come running into the room and say, "Hey mama, listen to this song I'm writing." He would then sing his song to me. My first question was always, "Keeton, have you written this down?" He would grin and say, "No mama, you'll remember it for me." (Oh, how I wish he had written down every single word.) He was inspired by Christian rappers KB, Lecrae, and Zauntee. He went so far as to decide his rapper name and even had to have an impromptu photo shoot for the cover of his album. 

While he could have people laughing in a matter of a few seconds and did not have a serious bone in his body, his wisdom and perspective at 11-years-old is astonishing.  In one of his songs he wrote, "God has a plan. Better can come out of bad things. I can tell you something, I am happy now and that's my song." He knew that in the midst of tragedy, God was still working for our good.