Barrett’s Blessings: A Short Life Filled with Love

Barrett Edwin Carver’s life may have been short—but it was full of blessings.

Diagnosed with a brain tumor at just six months old, Barrett experienced a life filled with sickness. Yet his mom, Amber Reddish, remembers him as “incredibly resilient” and “very articulate for his age.”

He was cared for at home in Trenton, Florida, by Haven Hospice and, when needed, at the E.T. York Hospice Care Center in Gainesville. Toward the end of his life, the family had a brief glimmer of hope when a trial medication improved his symptoms. During that time, Barrett was able to return home, walk again, gain weight, enjoy Goldfish crackers, and Paw Patrol like any other toddler.

“We went home in May after his first stay at the care center,” said Amber. “It was good to see him awake again—eating and drinking. His Haven nurse, KaSandra—whom he nicknamed ‘Aunt Sandra’—became very special to him and to us.”

Though Barrett’s home was outside nurse KaSandra Pearce’s usual territory, she insisted on continuing as his nurse. Their bond was unlike any other. As KaSandra herself said, “When I started in hospice, I never imagined I’d be caring for children. I thought it would only be elderly patients. But then came Barrett. And he changed me forever. From the very first visits, his joy was contagious. When he called me ‘Aunt Sandra,’ it melted my heart in a way I’ll never forget.”

As Barrett’s tumor advanced, it began to create pressure on his brain stem. An MRI confirmed that there were no further curative options, and he returned to the care center in December. It was time for Haven to make Barrett comfortable and create as many memories as possible for Barrett’s family.

Just days before Christmas, Barrett celebrated his third birthday at the care center. Haven staff organized a Bluey-themed party with balloons, decorations, and cake. The efforts of the care center staff to make this a special celebration touched the family deeply.

Shortly after his birthday, Haven helped create another special moment: seeing snow. “Barrett wanted to see snow. Haven called a local Kona Ice and they built a mound of shaved ice on the patio at the care center for him,” Amber recalled with a smile. “Once he touched it, he hated it! It was too cold and wet for him. But the effort meant so much to us.”

Another moment that Amber remembers fondly is their time with Haven Pet Visitor volunteers. “Once Barrett went blind, a dog named Maya visited him. He couldn’t see her, but he touched her and said, ‘She’s so soft and nice.’ And that was one of the sweetest moments.”

While Barrett’s family supported him in his decline, they were also supporting his big brother, Calyx, who was two-and-a-half years older than Barrett.

“Haven’s staff went above-and-beyond for Barrett but also for us as a family. Calyx never knew life without Barrett. He knew he was sick, but we always just took things one step at a time. Calyx loved Haven’s E.T. York Hospice Care Center because he said it was ‘the doctor place with the toy room.’ The nurses always tried to make the experience as positive as possible for siblings, too.”

Calyx decorated Barrett’s medical equipment with stickers so he could feel involved in his care. When Barrett lost his vision, Calyx, who Amber said was “such a good big brother,” would guide him around, always wanting to help.

After spending months surrounded by family and friends at the E.T. York Hospice Care Center, Barrett died peacefully on his mother’s chest.

Amber wants Barrett to be known as the sweet, silly boy he was. “Barrett was funny. He loved the ‘Guess what? Chicken butt!’ joke. He’d pause dramatically before delivering the punchline, and he had everyone in stitches. He was also such a charmer. He was an old soul in some ways, but also just a joyful, silly little boy. His life was short, but it was full, and he taught us so much.”

Barrett’s life touched many others. His experience in hospice care was impactful as well.

After Barrett’s passing, his great aunt, Stacey Wood, joined Haven Hospice as a nurse. His parents also started a foundation, Barrett’s Blessings, to bring comfort and support to pediatric patients facing terminal illnesses, support their families, and raise money for critical pediatric cancer research. Barrett’s Blessings continues to donate elaborate gift baskets to Haven Hospice to deliver to families of sick little ones.

The family has big goals for Barrett’s Blessings. In his memory, they are committed to changing childhood cancer statistics by growing their foundation as much as possible. They encourage everyone to visit their Facebook page to join the cause.

Amber wants others to know that in the darkest of times, there is always light to be found. And Barrett and his family found light at Haven Hospice.

“Even in the hardest circumstances, there can still be joy. Barrett’s life was short, but it was filled with love, laughter, and resilience. He never let his illness define him. And I hope people understand that hospice isn’t just about dying. It’s about living—making the most of the time you have. Haven gave us comfort, dignity, and moments of joy. Even in heartbreak,” said Amber. “I hate that pediatric hospice has to exist, but I’m so thankful it does. It gave us the chance to make Barrett’s time as beautiful and loving as it could be.”