AIDEN WASHBURN – THE LITTLE WARRIOR WITH A HALF-BEATING HEART

From the moment Aiden Washburn entered the world, he had two sentences written for him:

• A half-functioning heart (HLHS)

• Only one kidney

At just 24 hours old, he underwent his first open-heart surgery. And that was just the beginning. Over the next nine years, he faced three more surgeries, each one a gamble, with doctors always saying, “Only a 50% chance…” But Aiden never accepted “50%.” He was never about the odds—he was about living fully, with a heart that beat not just with blood, but with love, hope, and courage.

Every time his chest was opened, he chose 100%—a 100% smile, 100% love, and 100% life. Despite the pain, despite the fear, Aiden’s spirit never faltered. He taught the world what it meant to live with gratitude and bravery. He showed us how to:

• Hug your mom tightly after waking up from surgery, knowing you may not feel well.

• Wave goodbye to the nurse, even though your body hurts, because you can still show kindness.

• Smile brightly, as if your spirit didn’t know what sickness was, living in pure joy.

Last Sunday, that little warrior’s heart stopped beating. But Aiden didn’t lose. He won—he won the entire world with his bravery, his joy, and his unwavering love for life. In his 9 short years, he lived brightly—and that is the greatest victory of all.

Aiden didn’t just survive. He didn’t just make it through. He made every single day count.

Thank you, Aiden, for coming into this world and showing us all how to live fully and fearlessly. Your life was a gift that will echo forever in the hearts of those who were lucky enough to know you.

Rest now, little warrior, in God’s arms.  You fought bravely, you loved deeply, and you will always be remembered.