The first time I met Aaron I remember thinking what an amazing smile he had...Dark hair, dark eyes and the most adorable dimples when he smiled...When he smiled you could feel it...You could see his smile in his eyes...
My relationship with Aaron wasn't complicated...He knew just how much I love Jaden and he let me see him whenever I wanted, be part of his life...
Aaron was an amazing father to Jaden...From the minute he took over raising him I knew he loved Jaden and was going to be an awesome dad...And he was...
Dedicated, to his every need and spent all of his time with Jaden...Their relationship was so sweet and pure. Jaden LOVED his dad...I am going to miss Aaron...Miss his soft voice...Miss his smile, and miss seeing Jaden running to his daddy's arms when he picked him up...
It breaks my heart...I have not been affected by a death so deeply, in so many ways...My own brother died 20 years ago, he struggled with drugs and depression and finally took his own life...Devastating for our family...Aaron was a lot like my brother Jim, athletic, strong, a father, quiet, big smile, lonely and used drugs to escape...
It breaks my heart...
What a sad waste of an amazing man, father, friend...
I am sad...mad...and I wonder, what could I have done? Why didn't I know?
What I do know for sure is this...
Aaron was a great man...An amazing, loving, devoted father...
I will miss him...Miss seeing him raise Jaden...
I also know that Jaden has so many people who love him and are devoted to him...We will all rally around him, love him, support him and be there for him...
These past few days have been filled with remembering...Honoring...Mourning...
Being part of Aaron's funeral will be one of my most cherished and sacred memories, seeing his family lovingly bury their son and brother. Honoring his Native American traditions was so beautiful to watch...Listening to his siblings tell stories and tell Aaron just how much they loved him...What a blessing...Hearing their chants and the drums touched me like nothing I have ever experienced...Watching a Mother and Father lovingly, prayerfully bury their son was an honor to be part of...I have never been so moved...
My sweet Jaden at his Grandmother's side...Saying goodbye to his daddy...Jaden is where he should be...Ray and Millie will do what is best for Jaden and we will be there to support and to love them and Jaden...
We wore white to honor Jaden, and his loss...We wore feathers on our lapels, in our hair to honor Aaron and his next journey...I will see Aaron now with different eyes...He will be in the lightening and in the wind...Like his Native American name...Haashk'e Lini Yedilwo'ii {Warrior Who Runs with Lightning} I was so touched by what his uncle a Cheif said at the funeral and will remember it always...
Remembering Aaron... {photo of a photo}
It will be easy...
I will see him in Jaden's eyes...In Jaden's laughter and in Jaden's smile...
He will be missed...
Kiss kiss
m
no words my friend . only hugs <3
Posted by: Cheri Vallery | August 04, 2010 at 10:25 AM
margie- again, i am so very sorry for your loss. praying for love, comfort, peace, and mending for your broken heart. xxo
Posted by: Stephanie Howell | August 04, 2010 at 10:32 AM
Thank you for sharing this. I have prayed for,and cried for, you and little Jaden. God will give you both strength and the ability to grow in this. Jaden is well loved and lucky!
Posted by: Sarah Stegall | August 04, 2010 at 10:38 AM
My heart and prayers remain with you durning this time. Jaden is so loved and extrememly lucky to have your family to guide him through his young life. Bless you all.
Posted by: Teresa Wilkins | August 04, 2010 at 10:51 AM
What a beautiful tribute to your friend, Margie. I am so very sorry for your loss.
Posted by: Jana | August 04, 2010 at 11:26 AM
And I'm sitting at work crying. Gotta LOVE these extra hormones. I'm really sorry for your loss Margie. All of us here are so sad for you and little Jaden.
Posted by: Tara | August 04, 2010 at 11:28 AM
My prayers and thoughts to you,your family and Jaden.
Posted by: rhonda nickol | August 04, 2010 at 11:43 AM
I'm so sorry for your loss. My heart and prayers go out to you and Jaden.
Posted by: jen | August 04, 2010 at 12:02 PM
so sorry about your loss. Praying you thru this...
Posted by: Lexi Bridges | August 04, 2010 at 01:40 PM
What a beautiful tribute. Hugs to you and extra prayers.
Posted by: Katie Watson | August 04, 2010 at 02:33 PM
Jaden and his Dad are lucky to know you. 'Sending my deepest sympathy to you, Jaden and his family. Please know that your friends are surrounding you with love.
Posted by: Renee J. | August 04, 2010 at 03:05 PM
Beautiful....Hugs! I am so sad. Jaden is so lucky to have all of you. He is the most darling little boy.
Posted by: jayme | August 04, 2010 at 03:08 PM
Beautiful tribute!!
Posted by: Judy in huntsville [al] | August 04, 2010 at 04:26 PM
I am so very sorry. What you wrote is beautiful. My heart goes out to you, Jaden, and Aaron's family.
Posted by: gscrapbooks | August 04, 2010 at 04:45 PM
Your post is such a loving tribute to Aaron...I wonder how Jaden was lucky enough to wander into your life?
Posted by: Heather | August 04, 2010 at 04:47 PM
Margie, thank you for sharing this moving story. It made me cry for the loss and rejoice that Jaden is surrounded by people who deeply love him.
Posted by: Linda B. | August 04, 2010 at 06:15 PM
Margie sorry for the loss of Aaron in your life, he is a beautiful man and I can feel your love for him and his son.
How lovely that you have been blessed with them in your life.
Drugs always present the "what if's" don't they.
He's in a safe place now so I hope you do feel comfort and peace as time goes on.
My sincere sympathy to all.
Thanks for sharing a sweet life.
Posted by: Brenda Just a bed of Roses | August 04, 2010 at 07:23 PM
margie,
no words can be sufficient to express my sadness or offer comfort but I will keep you and your family safely in my heart and prayers.
always,
michele
Posted by: michele hamilton | August 04, 2010 at 08:40 PM
What a beautiful tribute. It's so hard to see such a brilliant future cut short. Jaden is a lucky boy to have such supportive family. Aaron was a lucky man to have such support and history.
Posted by: Tina | August 04, 2010 at 09:33 PM
So sorry for you loss, my prayer are with you, your friends and family. Aaron RIP.
Posted by: Giny Cortes-Rosario | August 04, 2010 at 09:36 PM
I'm so sorry you have lost your friend. Your blog is in my google reader with many others--and the post immediately preceding yours today was this one: http://www.37days.com/2010/08/poetry-wednesday-swallow-the-pinbones-of-your-loss.html
It is about grief. It seemed fitting to share with you.
Posted by: gina | August 04, 2010 at 11:22 PM
My tears and heart are with you. My 29 year old son is walking the same path as Aaron. Peace be with you and yours.
Posted by: NanaBeth | August 05, 2010 at 04:13 AM
Wow. That was beautiful. I'm so sorry for your and Jaden's loss. I'm so happy for Aaron that he had got his life on track enough to take care of Jaden, for those beautiful memories. So sad.
Posted by: Wendy Holifield | August 05, 2010 at 01:51 PM
What a beautiful tribute. I'm so sorry for your loss, you and your family will be in my prayers.
Posted by: Jacquie | August 05, 2010 at 02:13 PM
My heart is heavy. I'm sorry for your loss and I pray that you and all those who love Aaron will find peace and a way during this fragile time. XO...
Posted by: Tammy Mellish | August 06, 2010 at 07:15 AM