Aaron Christopherson 1986-2007
We all make friends at different stages of life. Some of the most important friends can be the ones that helped you grow up. When I was in the seventh grade, a confusing time for anyone, I had two best friends. 6'2" Kelvin Johnston and all 5 feet of Aaron Christopherson. It was probably a funny sight to see the 3 of us walking together, a straight line going down.
Aaron was easily one of the funniest people I had ever met. To be honest I don't recall the first time we started hanging out, he had a repuation at the time that wasn't entirely fair. Some thought he was troubled or whatever, but he lived by Kelvin and we all hung out. Soon after it'd be just me and Aaron in his apartment playin MLB 2000 or whatever game was out at the time. His mother Deb would even let me stay for dinner sometimes and I really enjoyed their company. I will never go as far as to say that Aaron looked up to me, but I know the year he bravely signed up for the basketball team he really worked his ass of at it shootin around in Kelvin's driveway. One day when I missed a layup it was Aaron of all people who said "Vajaner you never miss those."
Aaron was also brave enough to get help when he new he needed it. A lot of kids expirement with drugs in Middle and High School, lord knows I did, but few can step up and admit it when they have taken things too far. After 9th grade or so I didn't talk to Aaron as much. I didn't really even know where he went. Turns out he entered rehab and got himself clean. It paid off for him when he graduated high school and started going to the Minneapolis Art Intstiute. That's when I started seeing him again riding the bus downtown.
He would still wear that Florida Gators hat that he had when we were thirteen. The man was loyal, to his friends and his sports teams. He could talk about sports all day long, whether it was football, basketball or baseball.
April 1st. April first Kelvin Johnston messaged me "have you hard about AC?" I thought it was odd, since I hadn't talked to Kelvin in awhile, much less talked to him about aaron. I was hoping it was a sick sick April fools joke. Sadly it wasn't. Right in front of my best friend Scott Carter's house on a dangerous intersection Aaron was hit by another vehicle and was not in good shape. Kelvin didn't think he'd make it through the night.
He did though. He's such a fucking tough guy. Always was. As a scronny 7th grader he'd challenge his older brother's to fights, the kid didn't back down from anything. He made it through surgeries and everything. I used to tell people that I was spoiled and that I never lost anyone close to me. I was convinced he was going to get through it. Maybe not as the same person, but that he would end up allright.
It dosen't work that way though. July 13th 2007 Aaron Joseph Christopherson passed away. We had the same middle name by the way we used to talk about that. The last few months in the back of my mind I have thought about it. That he might go, and I wanted to tell him that if he needs to go, if it is his time that it is okay. Selfishly I will miss him, but more than that I pray for his mother Deb who is a great person and his older brother Eric and everyone else that he touched with his life.
Lastly I want to thank Aaron. For the joy that he brought into my life during those hard growing up years. I want to thank him for always laughing at my jokes, for that awesome laugh that he had, for his sometimes brutal honesty (he once asked Kelvin "When are you gonna pop that zit? its been there for a week!) We went to valleyfair and got one of those goofy drawings of us, he had his Gators hat on of course. I think I might frame it this week. AC you were a great person, a great friend and I will think about you every day and thank God that you were put into my life.
I'll miss you and I will see you again. Try not to mock me when I sob like a little kid at your funeral. I thank you for all the great memories. I thank you for always listening, no matter what I was rambling about. I love you Aaron, thank you so much and may you rest in peace.
Aaron was easily one of the funniest people I had ever met. To be honest I don't recall the first time we started hanging out, he had a repuation at the time that wasn't entirely fair. Some thought he was troubled or whatever, but he lived by Kelvin and we all hung out. Soon after it'd be just me and Aaron in his apartment playin MLB 2000 or whatever game was out at the time. His mother Deb would even let me stay for dinner sometimes and I really enjoyed their company. I will never go as far as to say that Aaron looked up to me, but I know the year he bravely signed up for the basketball team he really worked his ass of at it shootin around in Kelvin's driveway. One day when I missed a layup it was Aaron of all people who said "Vajaner you never miss those."
Aaron was also brave enough to get help when he new he needed it. A lot of kids expirement with drugs in Middle and High School, lord knows I did, but few can step up and admit it when they have taken things too far. After 9th grade or so I didn't talk to Aaron as much. I didn't really even know where he went. Turns out he entered rehab and got himself clean. It paid off for him when he graduated high school and started going to the Minneapolis Art Intstiute. That's when I started seeing him again riding the bus downtown.
He would still wear that Florida Gators hat that he had when we were thirteen. The man was loyal, to his friends and his sports teams. He could talk about sports all day long, whether it was football, basketball or baseball.
April 1st. April first Kelvin Johnston messaged me "have you hard about AC?" I thought it was odd, since I hadn't talked to Kelvin in awhile, much less talked to him about aaron. I was hoping it was a sick sick April fools joke. Sadly it wasn't. Right in front of my best friend Scott Carter's house on a dangerous intersection Aaron was hit by another vehicle and was not in good shape. Kelvin didn't think he'd make it through the night.
He did though. He's such a fucking tough guy. Always was. As a scronny 7th grader he'd challenge his older brother's to fights, the kid didn't back down from anything. He made it through surgeries and everything. I used to tell people that I was spoiled and that I never lost anyone close to me. I was convinced he was going to get through it. Maybe not as the same person, but that he would end up allright.
It dosen't work that way though. July 13th 2007 Aaron Joseph Christopherson passed away. We had the same middle name by the way we used to talk about that. The last few months in the back of my mind I have thought about it. That he might go, and I wanted to tell him that if he needs to go, if it is his time that it is okay. Selfishly I will miss him, but more than that I pray for his mother Deb who is a great person and his older brother Eric and everyone else that he touched with his life.
Lastly I want to thank Aaron. For the joy that he brought into my life during those hard growing up years. I want to thank him for always laughing at my jokes, for that awesome laugh that he had, for his sometimes brutal honesty (he once asked Kelvin "When are you gonna pop that zit? its been there for a week!) We went to valleyfair and got one of those goofy drawings of us, he had his Gators hat on of course. I think I might frame it this week. AC you were a great person, a great friend and I will think about you every day and thank God that you were put into my life.
I'll miss you and I will see you again. Try not to mock me when I sob like a little kid at your funeral. I thank you for all the great memories. I thank you for always listening, no matter what I was rambling about. I love you Aaron, thank you so much and may you rest in peace.