THE LITTLE CHAP WHO FOLLOWS ME

A cafeful man I ought to be,

A little fellow follows me,

I do not dare to go astray

For fear he'll go the self same way.

What ever he sees me do, he tries,

Like me, he says he's going to be,

The little chap who follows me.

He thinks that I am good and fine,

Believes in every word of mine,

The base in me he must not see,

The little chap who follows me.

I must remember as I go,

Through summer's sun and winter's snow,

I'm building for years to be,

The little chap who follows me.

As read by A.L. Alexander on the radio and wrote down

by my mother, on April 4, 1948

Re-done on November 29, 1984 for my loving son Aaron

who is the little chap who follows me.

A CHRISTMAS BLESSING

Aaron it was Christmas 1983 and the greatest Christmas gift of all would arrive 3 weeks later and that gift was a son we named Aaron. What greater gift could any soon to be father or mother ask for than to be blessed with a beautiful son? You blessed our lives for 17 years Aaron and we are grateful that we had that time with you. What an honor it must be for you to spend a Christmas birthday with Jesus. Thanks Aaron for the beautiful Christmas memories. As always you are missed this holiday season. Our love, thoughts, and prayers are with you son. It's hard here without you but you will always be in our hearts and thoughts forever and never forgotten. God bless you and Merry Christmas Aaron.

By Steve Edquist December 20th 2002

Garden of Peace

We wiped away the snow

And laid down a rose.

Thinking of what might have been

And pain only the bereaved knows.

Another tear falls in a garden of peace...

He could have been president,

Or won a Nobel Prize.

But it'll never come to be,

And we'll never look into his eyes.

They said it was serious but routine,

Don't worry, we do it quite often.

But something went so wrong,

Now they don't know what to say.

Another tear falls in a garden of peace...

We watched as they did CPR,

And they said we have to stop

now he is gone.

A life snuffed out too early,

Never to see another dawn.

The world gets older

But he's still 17.

And we dream of things,

He'll never do.

He'll never drive the pick-up truck,

Or go camping again, or use the computer.

All we have are our memories,

We've lost our precious son.

Never play video games

Never steal a first kiss.

We think of all hose things

He's going to miss.

Never finish college,

Never walk down the aisle,

Never know the joys of parenthood.

We miss him all the while and another tear falls.

By Steve Edquist January 20, 2003

Happy Birthday Aaron, January 14, 2003

It's your birthday and you would have been 19 years old. They say that good things come in small packages and we found out it's true. A great little guy came into our lives just like a small package, 19 years ago and that was you Aaron. It was heaven sent and so wonderful. We have such fond memories of you, as we watched you mature into such a fine young man that we are so proud of.

I'm thinking about you spending your birthdays now in paradise with God, the angels, the saints and your grand parents who never got to meet you till now. How great that must be for you. I know that grandma and grandpa have met you with open arms and have welcomed you home to heaven. You were very special and kind to everyone who met you and you had a "heart of gold." You stayed out of trouble and always kept your faith in God. God knows and everyone else knew what a fine young man you are. You believed in him and you always prayed to him. now you're getting rewarded with peace in heaven for all eternity.

I was also thinking about your past birthdays and all the fun we had. I remember one year when we took you and all your friends to a pizza restaurant where all of you got to make your own pizza. What a mess! You guys were covered with flour from head to foot. I remember some of your birthdays when you had friends sleep over and all the fun everyone had. For your golden birthday you wanted me to rent a limo, you thought that would really be cool. Well Aaron we had 17 great birthdays with you . The memories are so great, but it still hurts a lot that you passed away. We sure had some great times together. I will always keep the many fine memories in my heart and I will cherish them forever and so will mom. For your birthday we are having a mass said for you at church and then as always I will go out to the cemetery to visit your grave site for awhile. I know the good Lord had his reasons for taking you. It's still hard to accept the fact that you had to pass away so young in life and why it had to be this way. Happy Birthday son! LIGHT a BIG BIRTHDAY CANDLE tonight so we can see it in the sky above. Our prayers are with you, God bless you Aaron! We love you so very much. Enjoy your birthday party now with Jesus and all your new friends in heaven, and say a prayer for us.

Love always, Dad, Mom and your dog Scrappy

2nd Anniversary of Aaron's Death

Dearest Aaron May 16, 2003

It's been two years since God called you home. You are very much missed each and everyday. Our life is empty and the days are hard with out you. But the memories that we have of you are so wonderful and that makes us feel better. We are so proud of you and your kind and loving ways. As parents it was an honor to raise such a fine, kind person that had a "heart of gold." You were so special that God wanted you with him at a young age. In our hearts we know God has honored you by making you one of his special angels. You showed your special ways to many friends during your short time on earth. Many are proud of you for making this a better place for everyone. Thank you angel, on this day we honor your memory.

Love, Dad

LEAVING

You're sad about my leaving,

but don't cry for me too long.

Let memories of love bring comfort,

and help you to be strong.

I haven't done all I'd planned,

it's true.

But I've done all that God,

meant me to.

I know right now it seems,

that life is so unfair.

Hold on to your faith,

and try not to despair.

Find some peace in knowing,

I'm in a better place.

Safe and free from pain,

in the good Lord's sweet embrace.

I'm with all of our loved ones,

who have gone on before.

They were there to greet me,

when I reached heaven's door.

But a part of me is also,

being left behind.

I'll always be as close,

as your heart and mind.

We all live on inside,

the people that we touch.

That's why friends and family,

always mean so much.

When the time comes for you,

to pass St. Peter's gate.

The first cloud on the left,

is the place where I will wait

Christmas 2003

My Dear Aaron,

This will be your third Christmas that you are spending with Jesus. As hard as it is for me with out you, I know that you are in a better place. You are a special angel free from pain and sickness. You will be missed this Christmas and "No" Christmas will ever be the same with out you. You are remembered today and everyday. You are in my heart and mother's heart and are remembered by many friends who often visit your website. You will never be forgotten Aaron. My prayers are with you. On the Christmas tree hangs an angel with your name on it in your memory. Merry Christmas Aaron!

All My Love, Dad