Today we say goodbye to Aaron as the process of grieving inches forward as we gather together to remember and celebrate his life. I have never seen or experienced such a heavy cloud of sadness. I spent time with two of our men that went to Russia this summer and they are crushed with his loss. All of this speaks to Aaron’s vitality and infectious personality. One of our guys sent me this picture of Aaron digging the footers for our playground in Pervamaisk. He did most of the tough digging for us.One of my memories of Aaron that I will never forget is him losing his passport on the way home. We had a layover in London. It is an incredibly large airport and we had to take a bus to the terminal. When we arrived at the terminal Aaron realized that he had misplaced his passport. I could see his fear. I think he thought for a moment he was going to be stuck in London by himself. There was no way I was coming home without him! Our group moved on to catch our connecting plane to Philly while Aaron and I waited and waited. We made small talk about the trip and what we would remember. After what seemed an eternity a man from the airline walked up and said he couldn’t find Aaron’s passport on the plane…our hearts sunk. A big smile appeared on his face and he reached into his back pocket and produced Aaron’s passport. I thought Aaron was going to hug him. We ran all the way to the gate and were able to rejoin our group!
Aaron touched many people. Fellowship has suffered an indescribable loss and we hurt for those he left behind. Pray for the events that will take place today. Pray for God’s comfort for Bob and Jackie and the rest of their family, and pray that God will use a horrible loss for his glory.
6 comments:
As I sit and wait for the funeral to begin, I am replaying memories over in my mind of the times I spent with Aaron. I am honored to speak at his funeral and I'm tying to come up with the right words to say in his eulogy. The memory that keeps playing in my mind were the funny t-shirts he would always wear. I don't know where he got all those things, but they always made me laugh. He would walk up to me, wait for me to read the punchline, and start laughing as soon as I did. What a great, fun loving guy...I will miss him greatly. Bob and Jackie, you are the two most genuine and giving parents I have ever known! June, you were a great sister to Aaron! I love you guys. I take comfort in knowing that I will see his big ol' huge grin again in eternity.
Ben Jones
Our thoughts and prayers are with Bob & Jackie and family. I too have been thinking about all the times Aaron made me laugh. He always had a smile and a smart crack to make. Bob & Jackie, we love you and are praying for you and the rest of your family! We will miss him greatly!
My name is Stephanie.Aaron was one of my first REAL friends when i moved to Aston i lived on the street right before his house.i could actually see his house from mine. Although i only met his father one time when he picked him up from my house the last time he was in Aston to visit..Ill never forget how he would always ask me for a ride to 7-11 that was where we used to always go before or after a football game. I was in ROTC with Aaron at SunValley. I was devastated when i found out he was moving, but happy that i would still beable to see him and talk to him. He would always make me laugh. We went to pizza hut after midterms one year and we all ordered something little and simple but Aaron had to order the biggest pizza lol..bbq-chicken. He always made me laugh when i was crying or upset. I have one video.he taped my last day of highschool in ROTC while we all played softball. I am so happy i can still hear his laughter and his little chuckle he does. I am just still in shock to him being gone. To his parents, i hope everything gets better for you,everything will get better for you in time. My prayers are always with you!
Stephanie
Yo A-Ron, I miss ya!
I was planning to repost a blog from this past Saturday from my personal blog, But God has brought me from there to a better place.
I still grieve and mourn the loss of a good friend, a great friend that searched me out each week just to say "Yo Dan!" and see what was new. I worked the closer shift this past Sunday and I couldn't help but think that Aaron would not be able to stop by and visit with Aimee like he did many times before. I will think of him often whenever I work that shift.
You know, I tried hard to be an encouragement to Aaron, but I recall times he flipped the roles and was able to lift my spirits or speak truth into my life.
At 34, I still struggle to make good decisions, to use the Spirit and God's Truth to make judgment calls in my life. I guess that is why I loved Aaron soooo much. I saw me in him. After finding Christ I still held onto that inner Rebel, wanting to be me, and not anyone else’s version of me. Aaron pulled it off far better than I did! He was genuine, sincere, loving, and just a bit crazy too. I hope to have half the influence on others that Aaron did in such a short period of time.
A friend from Fellowship was telling me yesterday a bit about whom Aaron was growing up and where he was before I met him 7 months ago. (Thanks, Jim!) Like all of us, Aaron made a few poor choices and found himself in a bit of trouble now and then. I will NOT remember him that way. I can only remember the Aaron I grew to love, a loving guy, smiling and laughing, foolin' around and enjoying the freedom his savior paid for.
Bob, Jackie, June, and all of your family –
Lisa really needs you to know she also thought the world of Aaron and she loved how he has made my life fuller and happier. She knows first hand the influence his young life had in this tired, grumpy life of mine. Heaven is even brighter now that Aaron is there, smiling with his Savior!
In hope and a new peace,
Dan
Jackie and Bob...just wanted you to know I was praying throughout the day for you guys. I wish I could give you a big hug. Hope this will do for now: (((((HUGS))))) Love you guys, and will be keeping you in prayer. Lean heavy on our Father. Rest in His Arms. Find comfort there. Remember our hope and promise of heaven, where we'll all be reunited again (I can't wait!!!). Love you! Wendy
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