Car for Aaron Garrett, BE 554
Donation protected
To my Theta Xi brethren
Last week I had the honor to reconnect with pledge brother Aaron Garrett, BE 554. Aaron called to let me know that he had been in a car accident and wondered if he could have his car towed to my house. Of course, and thus was the beginning of 4 days underneath a car that had certainly seen better days. Aaron's '94 Toyota Camry had bent/busted three rear suspension tie-rods, cracked his windshield, popped his hood and trunk out of alignment, banged up the rear quarter panel, and blew two air bags--which incidentally, knocked him back so hard that it broke his seat and must now be propped up. Needless to say, getting the tie rods out was going to be a bit of a chore, but the car really is toast. Oh, and by the way, I was at work most of the time, so he did most of the car work himself.
After going to the local salvage yard (auto stores don't carry this stuff for 22 year old cars), we managed to get the tie-rods and re-install the new/old parts. We were both pleased to find that the car was still drivable and that there were no other discernable problems. A day later I followed Aaron back down I-5 to his home in Davis and we parted ways.
I cannot tell you what it has meant to get to spend so much time with an old friend. The real blessing, though, was talking about our lives and sharing what we had learned. Despite different experiences, the conclusions we discovered about this world are so similar.
If you do not know, please let me share with you Aaron's situation. Almost 30 years ago Aaron was in a horrible industrial accident, where he was basically crushed and barely survived. He has since spent the majority of his adult life on heavy pain medication and lives on disability payments. Our once hard-working, strong friend has quietly lived his life in immense pain and incredible humility. Aaron would never complain about his situation, nor ask for this help, but it is clear to me that he certainly could use a hand right now.
Our conversations meandered about life, our past, God, and the place where each of us is in our life. I could clearly see that every waking moment was a struggle for him and am inspired by his humble perseverance. Imagine working underneath a car while your body is screaming to just maintain some semblence of normality.
They really don't make TX men any better. Not once a complaint, not a whine about his struggle, not a request for any kind of handout. "It is what it is", a phrase we both seemed to recite repeatedly.
Aaron could easily be angry about his situation. Rage about how this life has been so unfair. Be miserable in the ridiculous amounts of pain meds he has to take--just to be able to get up in the morning. I quickly realized that his stay with me was a greater blessing to myself, than to him. I can help you fix your car, but I don't believe I can inspire you to live a life in testament to God.
I hope (and pray) that we will be able to rally around our brother and do something that will at least help him maintain his mobility. Aaron would never consider asking any of us for money, it's just not his way. I do know that he is safe, has a place to live, and with his limited means, continues living a life of real honor. Any money donated will go to helping him buy a new car and living expenses.
YITB
Tom Lowe, BE 555
Last week I had the honor to reconnect with pledge brother Aaron Garrett, BE 554. Aaron called to let me know that he had been in a car accident and wondered if he could have his car towed to my house. Of course, and thus was the beginning of 4 days underneath a car that had certainly seen better days. Aaron's '94 Toyota Camry had bent/busted three rear suspension tie-rods, cracked his windshield, popped his hood and trunk out of alignment, banged up the rear quarter panel, and blew two air bags--which incidentally, knocked him back so hard that it broke his seat and must now be propped up. Needless to say, getting the tie rods out was going to be a bit of a chore, but the car really is toast. Oh, and by the way, I was at work most of the time, so he did most of the car work himself.
After going to the local salvage yard (auto stores don't carry this stuff for 22 year old cars), we managed to get the tie-rods and re-install the new/old parts. We were both pleased to find that the car was still drivable and that there were no other discernable problems. A day later I followed Aaron back down I-5 to his home in Davis and we parted ways.
I cannot tell you what it has meant to get to spend so much time with an old friend. The real blessing, though, was talking about our lives and sharing what we had learned. Despite different experiences, the conclusions we discovered about this world are so similar.
If you do not know, please let me share with you Aaron's situation. Almost 30 years ago Aaron was in a horrible industrial accident, where he was basically crushed and barely survived. He has since spent the majority of his adult life on heavy pain medication and lives on disability payments. Our once hard-working, strong friend has quietly lived his life in immense pain and incredible humility. Aaron would never complain about his situation, nor ask for this help, but it is clear to me that he certainly could use a hand right now.
Our conversations meandered about life, our past, God, and the place where each of us is in our life. I could clearly see that every waking moment was a struggle for him and am inspired by his humble perseverance. Imagine working underneath a car while your body is screaming to just maintain some semblence of normality.
They really don't make TX men any better. Not once a complaint, not a whine about his struggle, not a request for any kind of handout. "It is what it is", a phrase we both seemed to recite repeatedly.
Aaron could easily be angry about his situation. Rage about how this life has been so unfair. Be miserable in the ridiculous amounts of pain meds he has to take--just to be able to get up in the morning. I quickly realized that his stay with me was a greater blessing to myself, than to him. I can help you fix your car, but I don't believe I can inspire you to live a life in testament to God.
I hope (and pray) that we will be able to rally around our brother and do something that will at least help him maintain his mobility. Aaron would never consider asking any of us for money, it's just not his way. I do know that he is safe, has a place to live, and with his limited means, continues living a life of real honor. Any money donated will go to helping him buy a new car and living expenses.
YITB
Tom Lowe, BE 555
Organizer and beneficiary
Tom Lowe
Organizer
Redding, CA
Aaron Garrett
Beneficiary
