From the Heart
10+ combines, 13+ semis, 4+ tractors, and grain carts running all across the county, all helping out one family. The pictures showed how a family was being loved.
It was a post on Facebook after the tragic death of one of Hamilton County’s finest young men. Tony Etchison.
People showed up on the football field as well. Hundreds. Even on the football field, respect was paid. The family saw the support and that support won’t go away.
Sometimes there are no words to express grief. Sometimes there are no words to express sympathy. You just show up.
Our community has seen more than its fair share of tragedy lately.
You cry with those who are brokenhearted. Let them speak from their crushed spirit. And you listen.
You can’t make it better but your presence can make it easier.
Not all of those who came to harvest the crops for the Etchisons may have personally known the family. But they were farmers. That made them family.
I could not get the Etchison family out of my mind on Thursday. It was like there was a dark cloud over Hamilton County. So many of us watched Tony and his brother, Eric, play basketball for the Noblesville Millers.
I am blessed to live in this amazing community which has always come together during the hard times.
Grief lingers. Grief has its own timetable. The overwhelming waves come and knock you down just when you think you are getting better.
You can’t explain why bad things happen to good people. They just happen.
Sometimes all we can do is be there.
Look at that field full of farmers from all over the county. On that field they were family.
Look at the football field full of Hamilton Heights Husky fans and Noblesville Miller fans.
On Thursday, they all were Tony Etchison fans. And they came together just as our community always does.
The impact Tony made me think of another young man that passed years ago,Ryan White. Both were loved so much and many were devastated by their passing …Tony and Ryan we’re both from Hamilton county.One we had no warning of their passing and one we knew would be passing soon..but the heartache and the pain in the belly are the same..Bless you Ryan and Tony for alot of positive things you so gave me to ponder..especially this for me..to treat your fellow person with respect..no matter how you are treated. I also thought how Tony and Ryan both had looked tired the last time I saw them here on Earth..Tony from working his 2 demanding jobs ,coaching,volunterring,etc and Ryan battling to stay alive..Bless you Tony and Ryan and thank you from the bottom of my ?
What a tribute to such a lovely man. His family is in our prayers. Oh so good
Memories with them in Georgia while Tim. And Eric plated basketball. They so proud of their younger brother Tony. God bless all. Family from Georgia.
Didn’t know Tony personally but he was good friends with my son in law and daughter. They are grief stricken as are all who knew him. Such a devastating loss for all. My pray is for God to wrap His loving arms around his wife, sons, parents and siblings.
Beautifully written. The community has indeed rallied around the Etchison family.