Humility...

...-A word often misunderstood...it amounts to a clear recognition of what and who we really are, followed by a sincere attempt to become what we could be.
from twelve steps and twelve traditions p. 58

On May 10th, 2005, with the help of Cathy, and our sons Aaron and Patrick, I had 4 months into a lifetime process of developing the all important humility. At 8:30 that morning, a person named Linda handed me a folded note. On the outside my name was written "TOM". Inside was this:

Let me hear what you need me to hear.

Let me speak what you need me to speak.

Let my mind and heart be open.

At 4:00 that afternoon, I was on my knees in the front room of our house, my head buried into the carpet, crying and choking. The words on that note did not come to me in their neat order; they came in confused pieces. I could not remember the exact verse but I knew they were something of a prayer to God, asking for wisdom and mercy. I could not comprehend what was happening.

People rushed in with compassion for our family. Anger, which I surely felt and ocassionally do to this day, did not consume me. God answered that prayer and continues to answer that prayer every day that I leave room for God.

At some moment after 12:10 PM on 5/10/05 Aaron walked out of our house to give a hand to a friend who was trying to rebuild his own life. Aaron intended to return home within minutes; the same way we all intend to return from running a simple errand. His trip turned into eternity and his errand, far from complete, is a challenge bigger than Aaron knew.

Every day we hear from people who are helping Aaron complete his chore. Two years to the day after our lives ended, we are grateful for everyone who supports "Aaron's House" in any way--prayers, well wishes, work, cash, gifts, ...everything makes a difference.

We are humbled and blessed.

Tom, Cathy, Patrick.

Aaron Meyer Foundation, INC