October 5th - It's Been A Year

One year since Aaron's "homegoing". It seems like yesterday we got the terrible news of my brothers death. But, strangely, there is a feeling that it happened years ago - like I haven't seen him in ages. That feeling gets stronger and stronger.

It is odd, I admit, that we recognize deaths with anniversaries. But as several friends have reminded me, it is how we mark time and how we choose to never let the memory of those we love die. Our family put this in the Bedford Gazette and the Cumberland Times News marking the one year milestone.

In Honor And Memory of Aaron D. McCoy

1/9/72 to 10/5/07

He was more than just a son, sibling, husband, father, friend

A hunter who loved PA mountains, every hill and bend

He was more than a member of the U.S. Air Force each time he flew,

A distinguished loadmaster on a C-130 Gunship crew

He was more than a singer with a strong tenor's voice

A person who greeted others with excitement and joy

He was more than a hero and a motorcyclist

A sparkling smile that we'll forever miss

More importantly Aaron was a Child of God

He trusted that Christ died for him on the cross

A servant of the Lord, He taught God's Word

And shared it with passion to all he could

His life was lived with purpose and his death was nothing less

For our God is sovereign and He knows what's best

He would want you each to know that Jesus died for all

Accept this gift of eternal life - for soon, He will call!

We'll see you there, Aaron!

We all attended church together and my mom actually sang "I Can Only Imagine". The Lord gave her an amazing amount of calm and composure. She shared how we all were celebrating Aaron's homegoing and trying to imagine that awesome sight of our Lord Jesus that he saw when he was immediately caught up to be with Him that day, October 5th, 2007.

After church Joel, Raegan and I stole away to spend some time at the gravesite. When we turned around my mom and dad were right behind us. We shared a few tearful stories and laughs together and then headed on our separate ways.

Aaron's grave is never lacking for decoration. Daddy said that he's never seen such a decorated gravesite. My mom laughs and says, "Aaron knew I liked to decorate for the seasons".

We have come to know the peace that passes all understanding that comes only from knowing the Lord Jesus as our Saviour and that He has a plan for each of us. As I've said before - there are NO accidents. Each event in our lives is to be used to bring honor and glory to our Lord and to lead others to Him.