Red Nose Kind of Day

                            Celebrating Aaron's (Uncles Sam's) Birthday 8.19.2017

Happy Birthday, Aaron.

We miss you more than ever.  Love, Mom, Dad, Choi and Adam

Knowing What I Know About Heaven Lyrics

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgf_j93P4PE

I bet the trumpets play and the angels sing
Every sweet refrain of amazing grace
And the Heaven's hands opened up the gate
And the children dance when they saw Your face

As happy as they were to see You coming
I was just as sad to have to watch You go, go but

Knowing what I know about Heaven
Believing that you're all the way home
Knowing that you're somewhere better
Is all I need to let you go

I could hope that I could pray you're back
But why on earth would I do that
When you're somewhere, life and love never ends
Oh, knowing what I know about heaven

Where every single voice makes a joyful noise
How sweet the sound when the saints rejoice
To every broken heart and every wounded soul
New life begins on streets of gold

But every tear that's raining here from my eyes
I know the sun is shining where you are

Oh, knowing what I know about Heaven
Believing that you're all the way home
Knowing that you're somewhere better
Is all I need to let you go

I could hope that I could pray you're back
But why on earth would I do that
When you're somewhere, life and love never ends
Oh, knowing what I know about Heaven

I could hope that I could pray you're back
But why on earth would I do that
When you're somewhere, life and love never ends
Oh, knowing what I know about Heaven

Three years since we said see ya latta, alligata. And every day, we miss you. It seems an apropos time to bring this back... Aaron, I hope you approve. <3

This made me think of you...

Quite possibly because of how ridiculous it is. ;) Merry Christmas, big brother. We miss you.

32!

Choi called from Germany to say "Happy Aaron Birthday".  Also heard from other friends and family including Uncle Les who had this to say:

Hey guy's:  I am thinking about all of you on Aaron's Birthday.  Hope your memories of my Nephew are glowing with pride...mine are.  Great Son, Super Brother, Wonderful husband....but enough about me :  )    Made you smile.    

Aaron was a one of a kind all around Superguy with added perks of being very interested, very interesting, and very active in what excited him ... I, for one, still profit and learn from his uber unique approach and enviable positions on living life.     

You are all on our minds and in our hearts.  Love, Les 

We miss you big guy.  Love from all of us!

A True Make Believe Story

This is a story I wrote based on an illustration given in a talk by Dr. Ray Barfield, Pediatric Oncologist.  http.www.veritas.org/Talks.qspx#!/v/1197

ONCE UPON A TIME...
In the land of make believe, a son was born to an average woman and an average man.  But he was an exceptional baby in every way and special circumstances surrounded his birth.  For on thing, his mother almost died but her life was spared by her Gracious God who knew she would love the baby very much and help him in the days to come.

AND EVERY DAY...
She loved the baby and gave thanks to her God for His magnificent gifts-- the gift of her healthy son and having her days extended to be able to watch him grow up.  In time, the woman and the man adopted another child.  The woman's life was now complete. She adored her new baby as much as the first and she brought her much joy.

UH OH MOMENT...
Then, one day, as the boy was becoming a man, he fell ill and the woman was told he would not survive.  She cried and wept bitter tears and fell on her knees and begged her God to have mercy on her and spare the child.

BECAUSE OF THIS...
Or maybe because it was God's just plan all along, God healed her son.  But he did more than restore her son's health.  God also healed the woman of many of her fears.  She learned lessons that improved her health also and put her family on a better path in extraordinary ways.  But as time went on, the son had set-backs and slow-downs even though God still restored him at every turn.  The woman knew it was God who healed him because the doctors never held out any hope  Her son grew in grace and knowledge and loved God in a way that only someone facing death every day learns to do.  He was loved and respected by all who knew him.

and because of this...
His friends introduced him to a fair maiden who made his life complete.  They had a story book wedding and lived happily...  He loved her deeply and provided for her future knowing he may not always be there to take care of her.

UNTIL FINALLY...
He was stricken for the last time- 'Ever After' was not part of their story.  He was not concerned for himself as he praised his God and longed for his heavenly dwelling place. And yet, he dreaded leaving his fair maiden, his beautiful, loving sister and his mother who had helped him when he needed it.  He anticipated his heavenly home where *"everything sad would become untrue,"  and he would run and laugh in perfect health awaiting the day he will greet his family at the end of their days.

AND EVER SINCE THAT DAY... (how you will be remembered)
Those who knew him, remember him with fondness.  They remember he made them smile, and think, and feel loved and special.  They miss him every day and wish they could tell him how much they loved him one more time even thought they know he remembers.  They wish he could help them think clearly like he used to do and see things in a way that only he could understand and explain.  But most of all they give thanks for the gift of his life, the privilege of having him as a brother, husband, son, friend, nephew, grandson and cousin.  His memory is sweet even when the memory of his loss is bitter.  And they look forward to that day when they will meet again on that heavenly shore.  Oh what a day of rejoicing that will be.  But for now, the man's father, still cries when he remembers what he once had.


*reference to LOTR (best explanation I've read:  http://www.fabsharford.com/everything-sad-will-come-untrue/

Happy Birthday 2011

Happy Birthday, Son. See you later. Mom & Dad

Carrie Underwood

Copy and paste.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLLMzr3PFgk&feature=player_embedded#at=10

Aaron's Lumeria

One of Aaron's cousins, Eric Dutton, a student at Fullerton University, participated in a Relay for Life event on Saturday, April 16th. It's similar to a variety of other charity walks held nationwide. This one lasted all night. His Dad, Neil, sent us a picture of his lumeria for the event. Thanks, Eric!

Choi's Home!

Hey Aaron--
Choi is home from Afghanistan :) I know how happy you are about that!!! I sure miss your hugs, but it was nice to get one from Choi. I love you and miss you sweetheart. mom

How Great Thou Art

A year ago today, the heaven were crying with us. Last night it snowed!

Aaron "SAM" Williams
August 19, 1980 - February 4, 2010

Headstone

Back in early October, 2010, when Tara and I went down to order the headstone for Aaron's grave, we were told that it would be in after the New Year, sometime in January. So imagine my surprise when I got a call early one Friday morning in November telling me that it was in. They planned to set it on Monday morning, November 22, and were calling to let me know since I had asked to be notified so I could be there. Thanksgiving Week seemed entirely appropriate to me as I think Aaron was a grateful kind of guy and we are very grateful for Aaron. Tara couldn't get off work and decided to go later in the week when she had time off. But Aaron's best man and friend, Aaron Rhinehart, and his Mother, Jan met us there. It was nice to have company. You'd think I might have guessed it would be emotional, but Jan knew. She lost her daughter, Amy, to cancer when she was just a little girl of 10. Here's a few pictures of the process.
The story of Aaron is not complete without "How Great Thou Art". It's the song his Daddy sang to him as a little boy when he tucked him in at night. It's the song that little boy would request EVERY Sunday night at church when we had song requests while his Dad was out to sea. It's the song that Aaron would call Vern and ask him to sing in the middle of the night when he was in too much pain to sleep. And it's the song Aaron sang in a LOUD, CLEAR voice after he learned that the oncologist had placed him on Hospice. It's the song I remember when I give thanks for my son.
Choi, I wish you could have been there Sweetheart. But FOB Salerno in Afghanistan was a little far to come even if you could have gotten off... I think you and Tara did a good job coming up with a design that helps represent a little bit of who SAM was. Thank you. llly, mom

The Hobbit

Aaron, guess what! They've decided to remake The Hobbit :) Wish we could see it with you... Miss you, Big Bro.

Birthday Remembrances

On Saturday, August 21st, a few friends gathered at the cemetery to remember Aaron's 30th birthday. We sang two of Aaron's favorite hymns-- How Great Thou Art and Amazing Grace and wrote messages to him in silly string. This was reminiscent of past birthdays when we had silly string fights on his birthday or sometimes, silly string ambushes. The last message was, "For the Win", which is how WOW raids were ended. Then we headed back to the house where others joined us for a BBQ and Swim. I'm sorry I don't have pictures of that part. We thoroughly enjoyed seeing more of his friends and were amazed how much their little ones had grown!

We heart you, Aaron.

On August 19th, Aaron's birthday, there were other celebrations.
The Molleur RLG remembered Aaron at P.F. Changs,

...and the Messing RLG celebrated with a Star Wars Movie Night.

"Aaron will be missed but more importantly, Aaron will be remembered" Uncle Les at Memorial Service.

Aaron, Dad and I remember you as a peacemaker. As much as you loved WOW, it was more about the relationships you were building. You would rather play with Tara than blaze ahead on your own quests. When you were living at home, I distinctly remember the last time I ever chided you for playing too much WOW. You responded, "Mom, I don't hurt when I'm playing."

Dad says you were such a happy guy. But it went so much deeper-- you were content-- completely comfortable in your own skin. You adored God and loved to worship Him. I remember on our trips to Dallas you inviting me to join you and Tara as you read the Bible and prayed.

I like how you explained difficult concepts to me in a way I could understand. Whether it was something the doctors had said or whether it was about God... or Dad. I like to imagine you are up in Heaven figuring things out and by the time I get there, you will explain the difficult concepts to me. Your life and words are sweet memories. Happy Birthday!

Happy 30th, Big Bro!

I bet the ice cream cake up there rocks ;) Miss you...

One of the happiest days of Aaron's life...

May 19, 2007

UT Remembers Aaron...

UT Remembers

An annual day of remembrance honoring members of The University of Texas at Austin community who died in the previous year.

Friday, May 7, 2010

UT Remembers began in 1998 when the UT Cares Committee developed a program to honor members of the university community-students and current and retired faculty and staff-who died in the prior year. On the last day of the spring semester, families, friends, colleagues and co-workers gather to remember those who died, to reflect upon who they were, what they gave to the institution and what they meant to the people whose lives they touched.

"At times of loss, our association as a community serves as a source of comfort. Over the last year, we have suffered the deaths of 167 members of the university family. This Friday, May 7, at the UT Remembers Memorial Service, each person's name will be read, and a Tower bell will toll in tribute. Names of those who will be remembered are available at http://www.utexas.edu/events/utremembers/..."

Aaron, you are remembered...

Uncle Les (14 minutes)

My Other Brother

It's not often that you get to add to your family, but I have been blessed to add both a sister and a brother to mine!  Back in '95, my brother Aaron became best friends with Aaron.  They would delight in getting together to play the Star Wars CCG, spewing Star Wars trivia ad infinitum, and doing whatever wholesome teenage guys do when they're together.  One afternoon when Mom and I went to pick up my Aaron from the Williams' house, I met Aaron's sister, Choi.  It turned out that we both loved cats and that we both had limited patience for our Aarons' obsession with Star Wars.  And voila!  A sisterhood was born.

Over time, our families melded... to the point where Choi and Aaron's parents became Aaron's and my M2 and D2.  I could always talk with Choi about anything, and "her" Aaron quickly became my "other brother" - always ready with a tease or a hug, a serious conversation or silly plotting.  His brotherliness is what I will always cherish... and miss.

One of the woman in our Bible Study group gave me a remembrance of Aaron written by her elementary-age son. Aaron spent some time with the three Hocher boys at our last camp out. He made quite an impression with John it seems. I'll scan it in later, but in case the pencil and notebook paper doesn't show up well, here is the text...

Aaron was a very tall and strong man. I still remember when he showed my brothers how to chop wood. The wood got stuck on the ax. He brought it up in the air and smashed it on the ground. It split into two pieces. It was totally wicked! -By John Hocher