My good friend, Aaron passed away this last Monday, June 25th 2012. He meant so much to me and I wanted to write down my feelings about him and some memories me and him shared:
When I think of Aaron, I think of service and selfishness. I
was so privileged to have gotten to know him these last few years. He willingly
tutored me for hours on end (for free might I add) and how he was able to
beautifully explain all the material I needed help with just left me in awe.
During our hours of studying, we became more than just teacher and student, we
became close friends. He emulated what a true friend really is, he lifted where
he stood. Not only was he helping me understand calculus and chemistry, but by
example, he was helping me understand the gospel and how to become more
Christ-like. We would often get side-tracked and talk about gospel principles
which he would often help me liken the scriptures unto my life. He taught me a
valuable lesson one day when I got out of a math final and I had texted him
telling him that I thought the test went well and how grateful I was for his
hours and hours of help. In returned he texted me back with a lengthy reply and
told me to not be like the nine lepers who forgot to thank Christ for healing
them, but instead he told me to be the one who remembered to express gratitude
to my Savior for helping me. He took no credit for the success in my studies,
but instead he only felt like an instrument in God's hands and that Heavenly
Father should be the only one thanked. I honestly felt God's love for me
through Aaron. Aaron was so easy to be around because he saw so much potential
in others and was not shy in expressing how he felt. He was so faithful in his
callings and he inspired me to be a faithful servant of the Lord in my calling
as well. He was the most amazing home teacher; one night at midnight I needed a
blessing and he, with no hesitation, took the time to dress in his Sunday best
and give me a blessing.
He also had such a weird corky sense of humor which would
always make me crack up. Another experience I have of Aaron is when we were at
a linger longer after church and I was talking with a group of guys from the
ward, including Aaron. Out of the blue Aaron asked me what I was doing that
upcoming week and invited me to go to Body World with him in front of everyone
because he knew I was in an Anatomy class that semester and mentioned that he
thought I would enjoy it. I ended up having a great time but what I found
hilarious is the story that he told me when he took me home. The group of guys
at the linger longer had been talking about asking me out on a date before I
had walked over, and when I eventually joined their conversation Aaron showed
up all the other guys and asked me to do something first. Leave it up to Aaron
to show everyone whose boss!
I thoroughly enjoyed being with Aaron. He inspired me to be
the best person I could be and to explore new talents and opportunities. I
remember another time when he offered to sing and play the piano for me and my
heart about melted. With a voice like that, I know he was an angel sent from
Heaven. His opinion of me also meant a
great deal to me. I remember he came over to my house one day when I was home
from school and heard me sing while I played my guitar. He was genuinely
impressed and complimented me which I was so flattered because he’s often told
me how he feels about people’s musical talents (or the lack thereof) haha Aaron
was always one to never hold back.
He is one of the most brilliant persons I have ever had the
privileged of getting to know. I don't think I could ever express in words how
much he has opened my mind and has blessed my life. I remember the night before
I left for school to move up to Utah, I came over to say bye to him and I
bawled my eyes out while hugging him because I knew how much I would miss
having him so close. Haha I even
suggested to him that he should move up to Utah with me, but obviously I didn't have a convincing enough argument. He is quite the legend in my family because we
just can’t say enough great things about him; we love him! Heavenly Father has blessed me by putting
Aaron into my life. I know without a
doubt I’m a better person from knowing him.
I can’t wait to see him again and give him a hug and tell him how much I
love him. Thanks for lifting where you
stand Aaron. You’re a dear friend and
one of a kind. You’ve left the world a
better place than what it was.
