Stetson James Wasden

Stetson James Wasden, age 5, passed away on November 25th, 2021. He was safe and peaceful in the arms of his parents, surrounded by so many people who love him. Those who know and love Stetson lost a shining light in their lives that day.

Stetson was born on June 4th, 2016 in Brandon, FL to parents Chelsea Wasden and Cody Wasden. Though his time here was short, the impact that he made on thousands was immense. Stetson inspired so many from his first day, up until his last, and will continue inspiring us daily. He showed us, as well as taught us, strength, bravery, love, and hope. He loved his animals, he loved Disney movies, he loved being cuddled, he smiled every day despite the challenges he faced, and the sunshine he spread to everyone who knew him was the most beautiful light. His family will never let his light go out and will continue to spread his sunshine.

Stetson is survived by and will be missed every single day by his Mother Chelsea and Father Cody; Grandparents Danny and Beth Stewart; Grandparents Tuwanna Lane and James Wasden; Great-Grandmother Carolyn Miller and Great-Grandfather Randal Miller; Great-Grandmother Jean Stewart; Uncle Danny, Aunt Sarah, Uncle Jacob and Aunt Destiny, Aunt Maranda and Uncle Charles, Aunt Alyssa; his many cousins, and all of his beloved animals.

We take comfort in knowing that Stetson is now with his Great-Grandfather Herbert Stewart, his Great-Grandmother Betty-Jo McCoy, his Great-Grandfather James Porter and Great-Grandmother Patricia Porter, his Aunt Linda and Uncle Daniel, and we know they are taking such great care of him until we see him again.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Stetson at 3:00pm on December 18th, 2021 at Stetson’s Stables. His family will be wearing Stetson’s favorite bright colors in his honor and invite all guests to do so as well. We also invite guests to bring flowers, a stone, or any other special item to place in Stetson’s memorial garden.

Please enjoy one of our favorite poems. We’ll meet you again in Holland, Stetson.

Welcome to Holland - By Emily Perl Kingsley;

When you’re going to have a baby, it’s like you’re planning a vacation to Italy. You’re all excited. You get a whole bunch of guidebooks, you learn a few phrases so you can get around, and then it comes time to pack your bags and head for the airport.

Only when you land, the stewardess says, “WELCOME TO HOLLAND.”

You look at one another in disbelief and shock, saying, “HOLLAND? WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? I SIGNED UP FOR ITALY.”

But they explain that there’s been a change of plan, that you’ve landed in Holland and there you must stay.

“BUT I DON’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT HOLLAND!” you say. ‘I DON’T WANT TO STAY!”

But stay, you do.

You go out and buy some new guidebooks, you learn some new phrases, and you meet people you never knew existed.

The important thing is that you are not in a bad place filled with despair. You’re simply in a different place than you had planned.

It’s slower paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy, but after you’ve been there a little while and you have a chance to catch your breath, you begin to discover that Holland has windmills. Holland has tulips. Holland has Rembrandts.

But everyone else you know is busy coming and going from Italy. They’re all bragging about what a great time they had there, and for the rest of your life, you’ll say, “YES, THAT’S WHAT I HAD PLANNED.”

The pain of that will never go away.

You have to accept that pain, because the loss of that dream, the loss of that plan, is a very, very significant loss.

But if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn’t get to go to Italy, you will never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things about Holland.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.HillsboroMemorial.com for the Wasden family.