The Day After

Thank you everyone for all your lovely comments, messages, emails and texts yesterday as we passed the 12 month anniversary since Aaron passed away.  It was so nice to read such beautiful things written on his Facebook wall from friends and past students.  I knew that Aaron loved his job as a high school teacher and that he was loved by his students, but it's only been since his death that I really have realised how much he affected them, even 12 months later.   

Just after he passed away I couldn't stop thinking about his school.  I knew I had to ring them to let them know he had passed away and I wanted to let his good friend,  Kristy know myself as she was one of his closest friends at work.   It was so hard to have to leave that message on her phone, and I remember just rambling on because I was in so much shock and didn't know how to say it, except to just say it.
 

Word spread fast as Aaron's cousin was also one of his students and not long after telling Aaron's Dad what had happened Aaron's phone started getting phone calls and messages from past students who had his number from the school footy trip, as they had to be able to contact each other in Melbourne. 

It broke my heart to have to tell that them it was true, that Aaron had actually passed away.  After they took Aaron's body away I went to bed, but of course I couldn't sleep.  I was in so much shock and was literally up to the toilet every fifteen minutes or so for the entire night (the body does weird things when you are in shock).  I decided to go on Facebook on my phone, and saw so many people talking about what had happened.

I couldn't stop thinking about how his students were going to take the news and saw lots of their posts on Facebook.  The next morning I heard that a group of students had decided to go up to the school  in the afternoon to release balloons and bring flowers, to just be together and remember Aaron.  It was school holidays and it touched me so much that they would want to do that. He was just their teacher, but he meant so much to them. I don't know if I ever had a teacher that touched me that much.

It was so nice to know the after, as I was driving back from St Helens, that students were gathering together on the school oval. I seriously considered going there as I just wanted to be there with them too, but I knew I had to be home to get my head together and to plan another funeral.

One of Aaron's past students texted some photos to Aaron's phone for me so I could see what they had done. It meant so much to me.  A good friend sent me an email to show me all the lovely things that they had said about Aaron when they heard that he passed away. It was so lovely to read and I'm so grateful that she was able to share them with me, as she is friends with a lot of Aaron's past students.  Some of their comments are below: 

 Kings meadowsstudents and ex students, and friends of the legendary kingy ♥ get down to kings meadows at 1 o'clock with someflowers and show your respect for the inspirational Aaron king! 

  Mr king you were more than a teacher to me you were a friend, a mate that helped me through tough times at school even when you didn't know but you made a difference to my life and I don't know how I'm going to cope being back at school soon. I hope they have hawks games in heaven and I hope you can watch over all of us and cheer us on. Thanks for helping me mate and I will never forget you ♥

tonight i've learnt that i take life for granted way too much.. someone that would put everyone else first, didn't complain about anything and actually cared about everything he done and everyone he talked to has been taken from us tonight, you have gave me some of the best memories that I'll never forget.

 R.I.P Aaron King -every game of the mighty hawks that i watch i'll be thinking of you. ♥

 

A few days ago I was keen to get back to school and see everyone..

 Now I don't even know if I could walk through the gates knowing you won't be there..

 Forever in ourhearts.

 R.I.P kingy. ♥

Rest in peace Mr King. You were the best teacher in fact you were more then a teacher you, you were a mate and a damn good one. You were taken to soon from us and you will be missed by all. Goodbye mate :(

 I would like to than Mr King for, all the memories! you were that teacher everyone wanted to go too get up and go too school to see, because you knew how too have a joke and made school fun, R.I.P mate ♥♥♥

Just broke down seeing the news. Taken way to early kingy.You will always be loved and never be forgotten. Condolences go out to the king family. Love you will never forget you mate. ♥

On the last day of high school, you never ever think that it will be the very last time you will see someone.. Little did I know that it would be the last time I'd see Mr.King.. He was a great man, that was passionate and always knew how to put a smile on your face! Rest in peace Kingy, you will be missed! ♥

Mr Aaron King, was one awesome teacher i've ever had!! he was a great mentor and friend to me. My thoughts and love go to Lisa and the boys!! He will be deeply missed by everyone!!

 R.I.P Mr King!!

How's everyone supposed to have fun at school this year,when you're gone.. :(

 Seeing how quickly everything changes, puts a lot of things in perspective. I don't understand how such a wonderful family could go throughsuch a tragedy in such a short time. No one deserves this.

Mr. King was such an amazing inspirational man who willnever be forgotten.

Rest in peace kingy!

Hopefully hawks win the premiership this year. ♥

  R.I.P Aaron King You are already missed by everyone and will forever be missed thanks for helping me over the past few years thoughts go to the King family ♥

Goodbye happy enjoyable Kings Meadows, One of the best men to ever walk this earth has left to a better place.  Rest in peace Mr.King, i wish i had more time to know you better. ♥

Australiaday will forever be remembrance day for the greatest man I ever met! ♥

Sick of bad things happening to good people, Rest in Peace Aaron King; you were an amazing teacher. ♥

My heart and thoughts go out to the King family, losing Noah not so long ago and now losing Aaron King, I never knew you but what I have heard you were one of a kind that would always tried to put a smile on all your students faces and all your family’s, I hope you rest in peace with Noah and look down on your family and guide them through this hard time,

 R.I.P buddy

I still can't believe he is gone, Mr King such a strong man.I thought he could live forever, You always made the students at Kings Meadows feel like they were all so special.. You will always be my favourite teacher!  Condolences to the King Family You all have been through so much in such a short time.. at least you will be happy with Noah now,

 R.I.P Aaron King! ♥ ♥

Cant believe it my favourite teacher mr king is gone never got to say goodbye to im sure you will be missed by all :(

 Mr king was one of the best people iv met, he wasn't just a teacher but a friend to every person at kings, he'll be missed by so many people, bad things happen to the greatest of people :/

 You're loved by allstudents at kings,

 love you kingy.....

Waking up this morning and can not believe what I am seeing; one of the most caring and respected
person I know has passed away. All of our thoughts are with you andyour family Kingy :'( ♥

I'm so grateful to know that he is still loved and remembered by so many, even 12 months later.