Freya Everly

Make-A-Wish began in 1980 after a little boy with leukemia, Chris Greicius, wished to be a police officer. When his community made that wish come true, it sparked a movement. Today, Make-A-Wish creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses, believing that a wish can bring strength, hope, and joy during an incredibly difficult time.

Freya’s Wish Journey

We were nine months into planning Freya’s wish — a week in San Diego with beach time, the zoo, and space to just be together as a family. It was going to be our Spring Break trip. We were so excited. We planned to surprise the kids by announcing it at Christmas.

And then, three days before Christmas, the unimaginable happened.

When Freya passed, the wish went away. The planning stopped. The excitement quieted. Everything felt still.

But Make-A-Wish didn’t forget us.

About a month after Freya died, we received a letter in the mail. In partnership with the International Star Registry, they had named a star after Freya.

The letter said:

“As you look up into the sky, there exists a constellation unlike any other. It is a constellation of hope, love and the enduring spirit of our cherished wish children, whose light once graced our lives and continues to shine brightly in our hearts… We ordered a star in her name, a shimmering testament to her everlasting presence in our lives.”

Freya’s star lives in the constellation Aquila.
Coordinates: RA 19h 37m 554.94s, D 06° 58’ 8.66”

Their gesture meant a lot to our family. It was a reminder that Freya mattered. That her life was seen. That her light still shines.

Now, when we look up at the night sky, we look for her. And we hope that if you ever find yourself staring at the stars, you might look for Freya too.

If you would like to donate to Make-A-Wish, you can do so here.