Ask Aaron...
Sometimes really bad things happen.
For example, sometimes we are burdened with an illness
that "comes to stay" and "takes us out of life's game".
Aaron experienced it and I watch it happen.
At 17, Schizophrenia came to stay.
It happened right after
his mother was killed by a car.
Jon, (Right picuture/the stocky boy on the left), Aaron's childhood friend,
took his 16th birthday money and rented a cabin for the weekend.
Then, he asked Aaron to join him for a couple days.
That experience was an ending. Jon never saw Aaron again.
Upper Left Picture: Joe and I took Aaron fishing.
Upper Right picture: Aaron works on a small boat engine.
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And, sometimes “shit” really does happen.
Sometimes the worst event we can think of…happens.
Sometimes the most damaging result…occurs.
And, we stand looking on with shock and frozen feet.
Then, we forget about it as quickly as possible.
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Lower two Pictures show Aaron working on the roof.
Sometimes people hurt but then it doesn't go away.
Aaron was an immature 17 year old young man
who was suddenly alone, afraid and confused.
And, so we end Aaron’s story and we ask the question,
“If God has his eye on every Sparrow,
why are some of his birds lying along the side of the road?”
Should we leave all of God's work in His hands?
If you say “yes”, I’ll tell you that for the seven months
after his mother's death
he received only $200. of his $1400. survivors benefits.
His relatives kept the rest.
Today Aaron is a man who walks the streets of
Ashville, North Carolina
with only his inner voices to keep him company.
Today he is one of those vagarants we see on the street.
He is one of those people we distance ourselves from.
He is one of those lost soals we fear.
Let us pray that we won't be struck by such an illness.
And, if we were, let us hope a cure will be found,
and, until then, a real treatment facility will exist.
Let us pray that others will care more
than we did for Aaron.
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It's time to go home.
Just click these words and you'll be gone.