HE WAS A FRIEND OF MINE
Ever since hearing the terrible news I can't get it out of my head. Now seeing pictures of Aaron posted online and his obituary just bring it all home with even greater impact. We're left here empty handed and empty hearted wondering "why?", what could I have done?, what could anyone have done?... Lots of questions, no good answers.
A long time ago Aaron told me the story of how he got the nickname "Rude" and how he didn't feel it really suited him anymore and to me he was "Aaron" ever since. I can't remember where we met or when but it was a long time ago and we became friends right away. Maybe we were friends through the Forums first (most likely), where he lovingly spent so much of his time, becoming a larger than life figure on the scene with his sharp wit and friendly approach to everyone. But he would have remembered where and how we met. He had a sharp memory in addition to his wit and an encyclopedic knowledge of the Grateful Dead and DSO.
Aaron had a "way" about him. He was a totally unique character and he was certainly a "character" in every good sense of the word. He would spark debate about anything with opinions about everything. He would smile all the while knowing that he was really just acting out a charade and spoofing all of us on the state of things. You could count on him too. If he promised, he delivered. But if you engaged with him on a topic you really had to be ready to follow it way down (or up) because Aaron had the tenacity and cleverness to be the devils advocate to the devils advocate. And he was really smart, as anyone naive enough to try and "win" a debate with him quickly found out.
How can we find any peace or closure when the most unthinkable happens? How do I reconcile the little videos he would send me of his son Jonathon dancing or playing while Aaron clearly was a very proud dad? How can we get back to the good memories that anyone who called Aaron a friend has many of? How? No good answers.
All I can think of is to try and remember to look out for each other. We are members of the same strange club, fraught with too much intellect, too much adventure, and too much risk when we let things get out of hand. Make a pact with one person that you will call them if you ever get to that point. Swear you will make that call. For me I've realized over my life that no matter how bad and hopeless things seem at any moment that they don't seem as bad 24 hours later. Maybe still bad, but not THAT bad. So that is a promise I made to myself, if needed shut the lights, close the curtains, roll up into a ball but just wait 24 hours and let yourself create a floor above the abyss. And there is always the 24 hour suicide hotline available by call or texting 988.
Aaron, you loved many and you were loved by many. You were a good friend. You were a brother on the DSO scene that will never be replaced. I wish you the peace you needed, but wish you were still around for the world to share while we all stand around looking for answers that don't really exist. Love you brother.