It was just an old rusted lobster boat that was making it's way out to Bug Light in Plymouth Harbour. Sitting on deck were people of all ages talking quietly and laughing every once in a while when they remembered a silly story about the young man they had come to scatter.
"Remember the time when Aaron sawed off the top of that old gunboat because he wanted a convertible."
"And what about the time when he was doing his three day solo in Outward Bound and he ate all his foodstuff the first hour he was on the deserted island because he didn't want to plan ahead and portion it out over the three days."
"Remember the Christmas Eve Mom got a call from the Plymouth police because "A" coming home from skiing in Maine mooned a car."
"Aaron was driving...he didn't moon the car...it was Phil and Matt in the back seat that did the mooning."
"Hell, I just hated drivin' with him. I came home one week-end when you guys were out West with Zach and he drove me to the Braintree T Station in 17 minutes. I don't think anyone will ever beat that record."
Circling Bug Light, the boat came to a stop. Will put in the tape by Rusted Root and "Send Me on My Way" blared forth as each person took a handful of "A" and scattered him to the wind. Over the previous ten months, Aaron had played this song a million times...I think he knew long before we did that he was leaving us.
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Comments: 74
I'm glad to have the opportunity to know Aaron through you
Papa
not elizabeth e. but her gardener and ward
The tide washes away the rough edges of everything. What a comfort the tide can be....
Thank you for sharing such a personal article. It seems that Aaron touched many lives, just like his mother does.
Never Alone
by Rodney Belcher
I feel you in the morning
When at first I awake
Your thought is with me
With each decision I make
You'd been around forever
Since the first breath I took
Now I have to go on alone
But for love, I need not look
Cause by what you bestowed
In our short time together
Will last in my heart
Forever and ever
Although you've left
And now walk above
I'm never alone
I'm wrapped in your love
Enjoy now your long waited reward
Feel peace that your love continues on
What was taught to me, will be taught to mine
Cause you live on in me even after you've gone
Your article is Featured in the Triple Name Club.
What an amazingly tender story this is...the journey on that old lobster boat into Plymouth Harbour. I find myself wishing that I knew the sweet young man who brought together each sad soul on the boat the day, all ages; a young man who left so many happy memories behind. Memories that tingled out there with you all, and somehow sweetened the unspeakable sadness as you "sent him on his way." You are amazing. I see where he gets it his ability to touch people. This will linger with me for a long time.
I wrote this early this morning after I read Janet Louise's article in Friday's Writing Essential...way before Papa woke up....but he did write the fifth comment on the strand. Aaron did have an incredible personality that was able to bridge the gap between the very young and old. He was so full of life he could fill a room with his love and laughter.
I have a few moments while the children are out to recess with the other kindergarten teacher. Knowing this was Friday, I went to Friday's Reading Essential to see what the prompt might be for today's exercise. I read it... of course "Send Me on My Way" came into my mind in a flash...and so I left Writing Essential right away...I was sure I couldn't write anything. Slipped over to read magi's photo-essay about bars and taverns...but the lyrics from Rusted Root was playing with my mind...so I googled RR to see if there was a video...and there it was...clicked on the play button and couldn't believe the symbolism in the video....then I knew I had to write Aaron's story.
For twenty-two years, Aaron filled our lives with love and laughter, it would have been a disservice to his memory if, as a family, we became mournful and isolated from others. I have seen this happen when some families have lost a loved one, I swore it would not happen in ours.
I think you would have enjoyed him...he was a bit of a flit himself!
Hugs from California...
Thanks for stopping by. I think I told you more crazy stories that week I was with you... he was an original from the word go.
Oh, I read your poem at lunchtime and it was just so beautiful I cried. Don't often do that. When I have an "Aaron Time" coming on I usually take a ride down Route #3 and put Rusted Root in the tape deck, turn it up as loud as it will go, turn down the windows, and let the wind blow through as I sing at the top of my lungs. By the time the tape runs out, I'm usually fine. 'Course today, at noon I couldn't do that, so at circle time I just watched all my young ones so full of life and laughter, and smiled. I was where I was suppose to be...with the young who still had their lives ahead of them. They are the biggest medicine I know of.
Such kind words. Yes, "A" lived more than a life time in his 22 years. He was a combination of both Papa and I. Some of the things he did were just darn right crazy....I still meet people today that tell stories about him I haven't heard.
Now I need to go to the Emergency room and check out this ache I have in the calf of my leg...have had it since the Zoo trip on Monday and Mrs. Ross thinks it's either a Baker's cyst or a blood clot. Don't want to take any chances so I guess I'll take the ride. Have a good book to read...Papa is waiting.
He sounds like a remarkable young man. I love that his friends remembered him so fondly with happy memories.
What a loveling tribute to the memory of you beloved son Aaron.
Thank you for sharing him with us.
We were blessed to have Aaron with us for those 22 years...rather 22 then no years at all. Though he was with us only a little while, he taught us so much about living in the moment. He was no angel, that's for sure.
Mrs. Ross was correct...I do have a Baker's cyst behind my left knee. Am suppose to keep the leg elevated for the next two to three weeks. How likely is that to happen? Was in ER from 7-11...they only had one ultra-sound tech on hand so I had to wait my turn. Darn...I missed the retirement party for two of the teachers at school last night....but I guess I'm glad I went... I was afraid it might be a blood clot.
I'm glad you brought up the video...I know how difficult that is on your old computer. I was surprised when I saw it...having never seen it before...the young boy, the door, the hands, the old Native American...and the angel wings at the end. I think it was another message.
Yes, you are right, so many things can happen...but you can't dwell on that...you need to live in the moment...drinking in each new surprise. Life is short...enjoy the holy instant.
The lobster boat belonged to the parents of Aaron's best friend, Phil Arnold. Both boys had spent many happy hours on that old boat, the "Mary Elizabeth". I think what really surprised me about the scattering was the fact after we had each spoken, scattered "A's ashes and tossed the flowers, Aaron's friends as well as Will and Zach climbed the rigging and dove into the ocean and swam with A. I did not expect that and yet it seemed so right.
I am glad you were able to view the video....the energy and love radiating out from that piece is incredibly similar to the love that radiated out from "A"...he was an incredibly loving soul despite his wild ways.
As you well know, our loved ones remain deep within our hearts and our memories keep them alive.
As you well know, every time you take an image of a blue heron, you are sending love my way. What more can I say.
Yes, you knew Aaron...for did you not have him for 180 days as his teacher in 6th grade? "Original", he was! I remember the meetings we all had when 1. he refused to go to the Special Ed room for his disability; 2. his salesmanship when he was selling Jolly Rangers and pencils on school property; and 3. his tardiness when he would stop at Jamie's restaurant on the way to school and have breakfast with the truckers. He did keep all of us on our toes!
Joy comes to us in life in so many surprising packages. None have the bind-to-me-guarantees we would like to see, so each day with our child or children is a pure gift. Your treasuring of his stories, and you sharing them with the world, gives us the gift, too. This was a lovely, loving tribute. Filled with love, about love, with love.
That's really what it is all about.
EE, you stagger me.
Blessed be: head, heart, and knee.
Wilka
It will be 11 years this July that Aaron passed and yet his friends still come around and we have been invited to all their celebrations. At two weddings, I was asked to dance the Mother's Dance (one of the boys had lost his mother to cancer and the other boy's mother had run off with another man and chose not to see her children). Another time I was asked to "participate" in the birth of one of "A's" friend's baby which was quite wonderful. Two of A's friends have chosen to name their sons Aaron. We are blessed.
Aaron left us many gifts before he made his passage and what he revealed about another existence outside the one we are experiencing now, gives us comfort.
I find your words of wisdom so inspiring and yes, I have heard "Filled with love, about love, with love.
That's really what it is all about." almost the exact words Aaron said one night towards the end. He told Papa and I to get on the bed with him and with our bodies we made a circle and he said, "If you only knew what I know. It's about love guys. that's all it's about."
I think Aaron well knew he was leaving. In fact I think he wanted to leave on July 4th and not the 12th. I was sitting on his bed in the ICU on the night of the 4th and he asked me to go up on the roof to the helicopter pad (they were just in the process of constructing it and it was off limits) and view the fireworks on the Esplanade (Charles River, Boston) and when they played the 1812 overture to know that he was going. I told him I would only go if he could assure me that he would still be mine when I came back...I knew he had to leave but I needed time. He gave me time.
I tell Aaron's story, not because it's sad, but because he offers hope and love. His story reminds us that our time on Earth is brief, at best and that through our works and love for helping our fellow earth travelers is what our stay on earth should be all about. It's just about love.
You are always welcome at our table of love where memories of a lad are told.
I bow to you. Thank you for stopping by.
I hope that your cyst heals quickly and completely.
I remember when time when Aaron was in the hospital, I, along with my sister Anne, were outside in the atrium garden and some strangers came up to us and asked who might be Aaron's Mom. It seems, when he was feelin' well enough, he would slip down the hall and take their grandmother, who was going through chemo at the time (she died a month after A) foor a "whiz" down the hall in her wheelchair. If Aaron pushed that wheelchair like he drove a car, I imagine that old lady had quite a thrill.
On that old lobster boat
A celebration took place
With dancing and laughing
and memories well told for
a loved one who taught
us how to live and
how to die.
I know, like Will and Zach, you have lost a brother. But telling their stories are part of our web of life...and by sharing them, we are sharing ourselves.
I have the leg wrapped and elevated. It's doing ok.