EDMOND – Keaton Barrón was only 8 years old when he lost his battle to leukemia. While in the hospital, Keaton started the "K Club," a place where kids and adults could choose random acts of kindness to help others. As a result, Keaton's family is carrying on its mission of changing the world through small acts of kindness, making a significant difference in many lives.
For this act of kindness and many others, Parents Magazine recently named the Barrón family, parishioners at Saint Monica Catholic Church in Edmond, as “America’s Kindest Family.”
In the article, contest judges said the Edmond family – Luke (39), Holly (38), Keaton (forever 8), Reid (7), Holden (4) and Conley (2) – was inspirational.
“The Barróns' kindness is a clear representation of what we aspire to be as parents, friends and neighbors,” contest judges Kristen Bell and Benjamin Hart said.
Judge Angela Santomero agreed, “The Barróns are the epitome of kindness. … As soon as we heard their story, we knew they had to be the winners.”
The magazine recognized kindness efforts through the K Club, including collecting diapers, wipes and clothes for a pregnancy resource center; donating to build wells in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; making hygiene packs for those struggling with homelessness; and chalking kind messages all over Oklahoma City and Edmond.
The family also creates "K Packs," which allow families to make keepsakes to remember a child with a terminal illness: a recordable book for children to leave for siblings, parents and friends with the child’s voice, and a canvas and paints to make fingerprint art. (Read the full article at parents.com.)
Keaton's mom and K Club president, Holly Barrón, said from the way they prepared for his arrival to the second he was born, she had a sense she needed to cherish every moment with her son. Barrón said it was never a thought; even throughout Keaton's relapses, he wasn't going to beat cancer, even if it meant a miracle.
"It's still shocking he's not here," Barrón said, who describes Keaton as an "old soul."
Barrón said she asked her son if he ever asked God why he was sick.
Keaton told his mom, yes; he had asked God that question. When asked what God responded, Keaton told his mom God chose him to do hard things. Barrón said his response was unsurprising, given Keaton's selfless, optimistic spirit.
Barrón said Keaton suffered his entire life and accepted suffering with courage and grace amid a world that tries to avoid the slightest degree of suffering. Barrón said, while their family still does not understand why Keaton had to suffer, they have seen many ways his faith has inspired the world.
Barrón said Keaton received more than 60 spinal taps for which the hospital would let him pick out a toy. Knowing the hardships his sickness caused his family, especially his young siblings, Keaton would select one toy for his brother, Reid, after one spinal tap, and another toy for his other brother, Holden, the next.
"What 6-year-old does that? That was completely on his own."
Barrón said people ask them how they raised Keaton to be so giving to which she responds that he was always that way.
"He was a gift to us. His kindness and his heart were incredible. He is an incredible example of never losing faith and never giving up despite the worst circumstances. He taught us what was important and what was not. He showed us what it meant to think of others before himself, even when things are horribly difficult. He found the positive in every single situation and didn't let little disappointments ruin his day – and he had to endure many disappointments in his life,” Holly Barrón said.
“It is a gift to have been chosen to be his parents and care for this precious gift. He's truly the best person we've ever known, and it's now an honor for us to share his story and fight for the other incredibly brave, kind, compassionate children who are battling these horrible diseases.”
Nov. 13 is World Kindness Day. Barrón said she hopes people will take time to see the good in the world and do something kind. For more information, visit
kclubkindness.org.
Eliana Tedrow is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.