Aaron's Poem of Hills 4/6/04

These hills that stand before me
are tall and burly
each hill can tell tales of past life
like I can tell tales of my past life
These hills seem to have their ups & downs
The life I lead has its ups & downs
no matter what you do these hills stand strong
no man can bring these hills down
call them all the names you wish
they stand strong
Just like me.

Aaron J. Meyer


Aaron wrote this during his Intervention Study in the mountains outside of Prineville, OR. The one photo shows his view from his "solo site". The photo of Aaron kneeling was taken where Aaron set up his sleeping bag for the night under the stars. The object in his left hand is the hide he removed from the skull of the bull he is holding under his right arm. The skull was his protection from ??? who knows.

Aaron and I hiked up to see this important place on April 23, 2004. The roles were reversed on this day. Aaron, the son, was teaching me, the Dad, what he learned about his ability to be a young man and honorable son, brother, and friend. A spiritually strong and significant day to say the least. Maybe Aaron's life took a significant change in April, '04.

By the middle of May, Aaron was surely confused about life and he was on his way to 40 days in the desert of Idaho for more intense wilderness experience. There may be no more greater love of nature for Aaron than what he lived in his days in the desert and the mountains of the high country desert of Oregon. Solitude is a blessing.

Last January 31st, Aaron was home from OR, and he began his course work at Horizon High School in Madison. I think he brought to his classmates a sense of depth of spirit. Aaron had comfort in his self. He had respect for nature and other people. When Aaron entered Horizon, I think his ego was no more apparent than his socks. His spirit was bigger than life though. Aaron was doing his work, standing strong, and accepting of his past life experiences as part of his character. They were part of the landscape; just ups and downs, no more, no less. I thought we were on our way to seeing Aaron grow from a hill into a mountain. By April 6, 2005 we were grateful for our son's safety and hopeful for the future.

Next week will mark nine months since Aaron passed away. Writing "passed away" is agony; cold air on a raw nerve. If we could call him home I wonder if he would return? I think he would say "No offense Dad, (Aaron often began his comments that way) but I'm free and having fun. There are no struggles in heaven. And, hey you don't need money! I'm a mountain. I'm in heaven. Sorry, but this is where I want to be. You can miss me but know I'm with you."

Life does have ups & downs. In The Little Book of Wisdom, the Dali Lama says Life is Suffering. I trust death is not.