Chris sat down the night before we buried Aaron and wrote the following, which he said at the funeral.  Aaron loved both his brothers with all his heart and soul.

For my little brother Aaron
I want to talk about Aaron's strength.  I remember coming home from high school with my friends and Aaron would be waiting for us.  It didn't matter what we were playing, Aaron wanted to play with us.  Here we were, eight years his senior, and Aaron had the strength to step up with the big boys.  Aaron didn't just want to play with us, he wanted to win.  With tremendous courage Aaron made himself our equal and earned our respect...even at such a young age.  As all of us here know, Aaron's strength continued to grow over the years, giving us the incredible person he has become.  His ambition far exceeded simply making his big brother proud.  Aaron took his grace to everything he decided to do and with an intensity and drive like no other, Aaron experienced glory in his life.  Whether on the field, the court or the trials of the heart....Aaron refused to back down.  He did not simple let things happen...Aaron made them happen.

My favorite quality in Aaron is his sense of humor.  I don't think Aaron ever let a person out of the room without a laugh first.  He had so much light in his soul that it radiated from him in a constant desire to tickle our hearts.   That was Aaron's gift to us in life.  Above all else, I believe this is what we'll miss.

Aaron's love for his friends and family, the way he wanted everybody to be together, and his selflessness stemmed from a deeper and more mature understanding of the important things in life than is often seen...especially from one so young.  That's what Aaron understood...that the most important thing in life is to be together with the people you love.

While Aaron's death is a tragedy, his gift in death is how close he's bringing all of us together.  Aaron may be my little brother, but I look up to him.

Aaron...losing you is more than any of us can handle, but we will carry on with the strength you've given us and the faith that we will one day see you again.

I love you with all my heart Aaron.  I will never be the same without you.  Thank you for the greatest memories I will ever have.

Your big brother,

Chris

As a comfort to Aaron's family, please light a memorial candle on this site and click on the "Tributes and Condolences" tab above to share your memories. You may also add photos if you wish on the "Photo album" tab above.  Aaron also has a myspace website where you can leave messages and photos www.myspace.com/aaronchapman18 .  


Lee Ann, Ken, Chris and Brandon, parents and brothers of Aaron Chapman will forever remember Aaron Travis Chapman.  Aaron is an incredible young man who left us way too soon. He is the ultimate athlete and loves to play all the big games and dance and always has an infectious smile on his face.   



CHAPMAN, AARON TRAVIS, Aaron Chapman, 18, a resident of Plano, Tx passed away Thursday morning August 3rd in Bonham, Tx. He is survived by his parents Ken and Lee Ann Chapman and two brothers Christopher and Brandon Chapman, also of Plano; paternal grandparents Ken and Grace Chapman of Bonham, Tx and maternal grandparents Jerry and Shirley Micelle of Lake Charles, La. Aaron is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Aaron graduated from Canyon Creek Christian Academy. He was scheduled to start college at Stephen F. Austin University in the fall. Aaron's talent was exceeded only by his compassion for any and everyone he met. Aaron's passion for sports was evident in everything that he participated in. If Aaron was told that he could not do something, that would only motivate him to try harder. Aaron is a natural leader, both on and off the field. There is not a mountain that can be imagined that Aaron thought that he could not climb. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m., Monday, August 7, 2006, at the funeral home, with the funeral services beginning at 10:00 a.m., in the Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park. Dignity Memorial Sparkman Hillcrest 7405 W. Northwest Hwy. Dallas (214) 363-5401 



My Mom and Dad are Survivors

My Mom and Dad are survivors, or so I've heard it said.  But I can hear them crying at night when all others are in bed.  I watch them lay awake at night and go to hold their hand.  They don't know I'm with them to help them understand.  But like the sands on the beach that never wash away . . .   I watch over my surviving Mom and Dad who think of me each day.  They wear a smile for others . . . a smile of disguise!  But through Heaven's door I see tears flowing from their eyes.  My Mom and Dad try to cope with death to keep my memory alive. But anyone who knows them know it is their way to survive.  As I watch over my surviving Mom and Dad through Heaven's open door.  I try to tell them that angels protect me forevermore.  I know that doesn't help them. . . or ease the burden they bear.  So if you get a chance, go visit them. . . and show them that you care.  For no matter what they say . . . no matter what they feel, my surviving Mom and Dad have a broken heart that time won't ever heal 



       
Renee, Lee Ann's sister,  told her about  the following story, and  this song was sung, when Aaron's body was lowered into the ground.  It is Well with My soul.

It is Well with My Soul has a power beyond its poignant words and simple,yet triumphant melody. When one learns of the remarkable, tragic circumstances that preceded the hymn's writing, one may never sing the hymn the same!
Horatio Spafford, born in 1828 in New York, was a lawyer and devout Christian. Spafford invested heavily in real estate on the North Shore in Chicago and these holdings were wiped out in the Chicago Fire of 1871. 
This was the beginning of unspeakable tragedy in the young man's life. After the death of his son, shortly before the fire, he planned a European trip for his grieving family. At the last minute, he was detained by business, but sent his wife and four daughters on ahead of him. The ship collided with another vessel and his daughters all drowned. On the sea voyage to join his grieving wife, supposedly near where his four daughters died, he penned the words that so aptly described his deep faith even amidst such anguish.

IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, tho' trials should come, let this blest assurance control, that Christ has regarded my helpless estate, and hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin - oh, the bliss of this glorious tho't - my sin- not in part, but the whole, is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more, praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

And, Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight, the clouds be rolled back as a scroll, the trump shall re-sound and the Lord shall descend, "Even so" - it is well with my soul. It is well with my soul, It is well, it is well with my soul. 




An eternal flame burning for Aaron Travis Chapman