Friday 17 February 2012

Celebrating a Legend

Today we went along to Kings Meadows High School for Aaron's memorial celebration.  I was quite anxious about it and felt teary the whole time, but instead of tears there were lots of laughs as the past Principal, Assistant Principal, work colleages and students shared their memories of Aaron at the school.

The celebration started off with the whole school meeting together.  I was amazed as to how quietly they all came in. They were very somber and respectful. 

They started off by saying 'Mr Aaron King was a legend at Kings Meadows High School'. I have no doubt that was true from all the amazing stories I've been hearing about him from students and parents, over the last three weeks.
 


They showed a couple of slideshows of photos of Aaron at school to some of his favourite music.






Some students shared with us some of their favourite memories of him.   Some of them were very funny, like him imitating someone choking to tease a girl that Collingwood choked in the grand final.  A boy shared a funny story about being on grade 7 camp and how he didn't want to get out of bed, so Aaron came into his room and instead of telling him to get up he just sat on him and farted! He got up pretty quickly then!
 


Robyn who works in the school office shared lots of hilarious stories about the antics Aaron got up to in the office all the time. 


When it was mentioned how much Aaron loved his sport and was the only teacher to set up his laptop so he got live streaming of sport on it, so he could watch it whenever he had a chance, Kobe looked at me and said 'Daddy can't watch the cricket anymore!'. 


After listening to everyone talk about Aaron we moved onto the oval with the grade 9 students (Aaron was going to be the Grade 9 Grade Leader this year).




They had organised 99 balloons to release (as legally you can't release anymore than that according to the aviation authority, as it can cause problems with aircraft!).


They had three different types of balloons - green for 'Tamar' one of the houses at school that Aaron supported and very passionate about at sports carnivals, blue to represent the school colour and I don't think I need to explain the Hawks ones :)

It is so nice to have Chrish back down from Sydney for the weekend. He really didn't want to miss out on the memorial.

Shaun who is now the Grade Leader talked to the kids about how they should think of all the happy times with Aaron, but how it's also okay to be sad and to miss him.  They then all released the balloons together.



Harri decided to stay at school for the afternoon and not come to the memorial service, as he thought it was going to be 'too sad'.  I was happy he chose to stay at school as it meant he was happy to be there, and also I did think it may have been too hard for him.


Afterwards a few students came up and said some lovely things and gave me a hug which was lovely.


We were then invited to stay for afternoon tea with the staff which was lovely. It was nice to sit and chat to his friends and hear some funny stories about him. 

It's still so hard to believe that it's real, even after days like today. I'm so glad that the school was able to do something special to remember him though.  I will post later some of the lovely things they said about him.  One thing that really stood out to me was how he helped shape the community at the school. He loved teaching at KMHS and believed in all of the kids, no matter who they were or what their behaviour was like.  I'm sure he's going to be very missed there very much.

12 comments:

  1. It sounds lovely Lisa, and a fitting tribute to an awesome man xx

    ReplyDelete
  2. this is just so beautiful Lisa. He sure was an amazing influence to everyone. How wonderful to be the kind of person who shapes a community in such an impacting and positive way. Sorry I couldt make it today xxx

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a lovely way for the staff and students to remember Aaron together. Love the farting story ;)
    And how funny that they couldn't release more than 99 balloons!!!! Don't want to cause a plane crash now!

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a beautiful tribute to an obviously very loved man .... a blessing to know that his time on the earth touched and bettered the lives of others, especially the youth. Must be comforting for you to know that he meant so much to other people.

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a BEAUTIFUL tribute to an amazing man. He's created a legacy Lisa...for a long time to come. xxx

    ReplyDelete
  6. You don't know me, but I feel like I know your family. You have been in my prayers each night. I have 2 boys myself and I am in Texas. I think of you and your boys daily. I am praying heavenly father will comfort you and your sweet boys daily with the different things you may need at each moment to keep moving forward and feel joy again.

    ReplyDelete
  7. How nice that the school could pay tribute to such a legend. Aaron sounds like an amazing teacher and friend.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm glad the school made this special time to remember him. When my friend lost her adult son, the hospital he worked at did the same thing. She said it was one of the most comforting days to see how much he was loved and appreciated by his peers.

    =)

    PS. I love the sight of all those balloons in the clouds!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I have been reading your blog for a few weeks now, I think of your family daily, it makes my heart hurt for you and your little family. It makes me so grateful for the plan of salvation. And the knowledge that Families are Forever.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I admire you for your strength, courage and bravery you show to your boys! Your family are in my prayers daily.

    Gwyneth

    ReplyDelete
  11. I too am sure your husband made a huge impact on the students and school he taught at. He was obviously very loved by all. He will remain a very remembered and honored man there as he will to you and your sons. A very great man.

    ReplyDelete
  12. That's beautiful. Very touching.

    ReplyDelete

We are so grateful for everyone's love and support, and appreciate your comments xoxo

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...