I lost a brother in arms today.
He passed away, having seemingly taken his own life.
To share these words is a testament to the spirit
That never dies, never yields, never surrenders.
The human mind has limits.
The human soul has none.
It is such a long road from our head to
Our beating hearts, and it is a road worth traveling.
I miss you dear brother.
I miss you so deeply.
You died alone in darkness,
Far away from the love of our Heavenly Father.
You, the soldier and secret artist.
I, the poet, and former monk.
We met so briefly in this life,
Passing swiftly, our worlds in flux.
Forgive my error in not reaching out.
Please hear me from the other side...
You are loved, now and forever.
Could you have waited one more day,
Just until the dawn rose in the east...
Alas, you could not. I forgive you;
Having been in such dire straits myself...
I have been to my own personal nadir,
The dark night of the soul, tested past breaking.
In that darkness I found heaven's gate.
You found a rope, slung over a tree.
Such different choices. Couldn't you have...
No. You could not. Another soldier dies at home.
Pray for our soldiers, those who return
Alive, yet so utterly alone, pray for them.
We ask so much of these young men and women,
While they ask for so little in return.
Dear brother, I pray for your soul.
With all that I am, I pray for your peace.
Your children are left behind on Earth,
Mourning, confused, and still very much alive.
No more men dying alone in the night.
Do you hear me! Those of you who live,
And struggle in a solitary confinement
Surrounded by those almost ready to wake...
Reach out! Call for help! Cry out loud!
Shout, scream, please plead!
Hold out through the night!
You are not alone, you are loved!
Remember, to be kind to one another.
Life ends with lightning speed.
One moment here, the next gone, gone.
Nothing ever dies, rekindle your faith now!
Hold on to each other for dear life! You are
The hope you seek, and the will, and the light.
Dearest Brother Aaron,
You will be remembered.