Esther Day

Today is Esther Day, which, if you're not a fan of John and Hank Green's Youtube videos, will mean very little to you. But Esther Earl was an amazing young woman who died of cancer in 2010. She was sixteen when she died. She had grown close to John Green of the aforementioned vlogbrothers, and he told Esther that John and Hank would make a video every year, on her birthday, about whatever she wanted.

Esther chose family and love. Esther asked that every year, on her birthday, people tell the ones they cared for that they loved them.

So, today, I would like to say to the people of the internet and the world that I love you. You are all amazing, wonderful and special people. The world would not be the same without you. I will not meet all of you. I will meet less than 1% of you, but I still greatly appreciate your existence and your contribution to this planet.

Professions of love are very hard. We live in a society where emotion is often frowned upon, and caring for people can be seen as a weakness. But Esther, at only sixteen, knew what was important. We face a lot of challenges in the world, and it is the people that we love that make those things easier. We would be nothing without our friends and family.

So take the chance today to tell your friends and family that you love them. I imagine that they know it, but they need to hear it. Use the power of your words to show how much you care. It's what Esther wanted.

For more information about This Star Won't Go Out, the foundation formed in Esther's memory, which provides resources for families dealing with a sick child, click here.

To purchase a This Star Won't Go Out bracelet, click here.

Videos about Esther:
With Esther
Rest In Awesome, Esther
I Love Hank: Esther Day 2010
I Love My Brother
I Don't Understand My Life