"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou.
I often think of Owen when I hear this quote. One of Owen’s many gifts was his ability to listen with a compassionate ear. Even at a young age, Owen had a special way of making you feel seen, heard, and thereby valued. I have memories coming home from work usually to a bustling household where dinner needed to be made, dogs needed to be fed, we needed to review the family calendar, and catch up on everyone’s day.... all in a span of 45 minutes! Amidst all of the chaos, Owen would take the time and effort to engage. He would ask me or Jeff how our workdays were, ask Izzy how her test went, or Charlie about his game. Owen was curious and authentic when he asked questions.......he truly wanted to engage with people. He sincerely cared.
Jeff and I found some comfort after Owen’s death, in reviewing some handwritten cards soon after his death from Owen’s classmates, teachers, and friends.
“Owen was kind and genuine towards absolutely everyone, and he would never do or say anything to put someone else down.” -Anonymous
“Owen was the epitome of humility....he was kind because he wanted the world to have more kindness.” -FB
“Owen was a true friend, consistently kind, and never dismissive or patronizing or mean. He is one of the greatest men I’ve ever met.” -NW
“Owen had intention in everything that he did. He had intention in his schoolwork, his time on the honor council, in the weight room, and most importantly as a friend. He was smart, funny, very strong, and always a good friend to me.”- DC
Owen remains an inspiration to me as a person. His life and legacy are at the core of our mission at The Goldfinch Foundation. Jeff, Izzy, Charlie, and I would like to thank you for your prayers and support this year, and ask that you remember our family this June 16, the first year anniversary of Owen’s journey on Earth.
On June 16, we invite you to log in to your Instagram account to #PostGold
in honor of Owen and others we’ve lost
if you believe in shining light on importance of mental health
if you believe that showing vulnerability is a sign of strength and not weakness
if you or someone you love might be struggling in silence
if you believe in The Goldfinch Foundation and want to join our efforts to change the world
Gold represents the light that Owen brought to those around him — and the value of every life.
On June 16, we’re filling the feed with gold — a square, a memory, a photo — to raise awareness, spark conversation, and to highlight the importance of mental health.
đź’› Save the date. Share the gold.
đź’› Use #PostGold and tag @theGFF24
Let’s light up Instagram on June 16 with meaning,
