On September 9, 1987 a house fire changed my life forever.

Thinking of Aaron

Spent the morning remembering
Your life, your joys, your trials
Your life seemed to mirror mine
I remember them with smiles

It was not always easy
Seeing you go through pain
But one thing that I learned
From you is no pain, no gain

Today, you would be fifty
Had the Lord spared your life
So, brother, here's to remembering you,
Your precious girls, and your wife

So long ago you and I were
Like twins; two peas in a pod
We were like bread and butter;
You got in trouble, and so did I

Today, as I think of you and
The painful way you died
I need to tell you, Brother,
That happy tears I cried

When after years of wondering
Why God took you away
Today I know your death was
My catalyst for change

It is your hearty laughter
That I hear in the breeze
Your peaceful smile, your inner spirit
That is worth remembering

Today I choose to celebrate
Not mourn, not sit and cry
Today I live a life of joy
And here is the reason why

On the day the dreadful fire
Took away your life
In His infinite wisdom
The Lord handed me mine

At first, I didn't appreciate it
Opting to suffer in a drunken haze
But had it not been for you
I would not have changed my ways

So, Aaron, know that I love you
I always have and I always will
Know that someday we will meet again
Up high on a heavenly hill

We'll run, we'll frolic, and we'll dance
We'll laugh, we'll sing, and cry
We'll share about the good old days
And how in vain you did not die

Thank you for loving me
Thank you for sharing my life
Thank you for giving me three nieces
Thank you for your lovely wife

He took you all as a family
Ending the sadness, the trials, the strife
Today, as I remember you
I thank God you were in my life!

Happy birthday, my brother
Aaron Eleazar Stephens
November 18, 1958- September 18, 1987

copyright 2008 by Miriam L. Jacobs
All rights reserved.