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Esther is born
Esther Grace Earl was born on August 3, 1994 to Lori and Wayne Earl. She was soon known as "Our Star" due to her name meaning Star. She was named after a Jewish queen who put herself in danger to save her people. Photo: Esther, 7 months old. Photo credit This Star Won't Go Out by Lori & Wayne Earl. -
Family moves to Saudi Arabia
When Esther was four, her family moved to Saudi Arabia for her parents to accept a teaching contract. Esther remembers Saudi and has fond memories of it. *Exact date unknown Photo: Esther hugs her star pillow in Saudi Arabia, 2000. Photo cred, This Star Won't Go Out by Lori & Wayne Earl. -
Family moves to France
In December of 2005, Esther's family moved to France to work for a non-profit program. Later in life, Esther tells her father in a letter that she feels incredibly guilty because he loved France, and her cancer is what made them leave. *Exact date unknown Photo: Esther in Paris, France, 2004. Photo cred. This Star Won't Go Out by Lori & Wayne Earl. -
Esther is diagnosed
While in France, normally energetic, twelve year old Esther started coughing and feeling chest pain and fatigue. Her parents feared tuberculosis and pneumonia. "Surprisingly, her chest x-ray showed fluid and nodules in both lungs," said her Boston doctor. Esther was soon diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer. *Exact date unknown Photo: Esther in a Boston Children's Hospital bed, 2008. Photo cred. This Star Won't Go Out by Lori & Wayne Earl. -
Leakycon 2009
During her visit to Leakycon 2009, a popular convention for fans to gather, Esther met famous author and vlogger John Green. This was very important to Esther, as he was one of her biggest idols. John remembers the event fondly in his prologue to the book. Photo: Esther (middle), sister Abby (left) and John Green (right) at Leakycon 2009. Photo cred. This Star Won't Go Out by Lori & Wayne Earl. -
Make-A-Wish Weekend
Over the Fourth of July weekend of 2010, Esther's dreams came true in a Boston hotel as her friends from across the country poured into a hotel room to spend the holiday with her. John Green, one of the whole group's heroes, came to hang out with them as well. These were some of Esther's happiest moments in life, as well as her friends'. Photo: Esther (in wheelchair) with her friends and John Green (pushing wheelchair) in Boston. Photo cred.This Star Won't Go Out by Lori & Wayne Earl. -
Esther's 16th birthday
Esther turned 16 in 2010. Her final birthday was spent with family and close friends, opening presents in their Massachusetts home. Photo: Esther (right) and her sister Abby on Esther's birthday of 2008. -
Esther passes
After a night of breathlessness at home, it became clear to her and her family that her life couldn't be sustained at home anymore. She was soon admitted to the ICU. At only 16 years old, Esther Grace Earl peacefully passed away in her sleep. Her final words were, "Oh, I'm just dreaming." (Earl, 329)
"Pfft, Dad, this is life. Let it wash over you." -Esther, encouraging her dad to have no regrets.
Photo: "Bubble Girl", 2009. Photo cred. This Star Won't Go Out by Lori & Wayne Earl.
