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...