“Big A..........Little A..........R...O...N.”
I’ve heard the story for as long as I’ve been married to Tyler Griffin. Often when talking about Aaron Thatcher, Tyler would mention the day they had a substitute in Mrs. Gettman’s second grade class....
At first he would bring the story up just for the fun of telling it.....but later, by request from our children as they would say, “Tell us about that time when Aaron............” It has passed from reality.....into legend.... into folklore here at the Griffin household. The incident is as follows:
On a particular day in Mrs. Gettman’s class, a worthy substitute teacher found herself facing a classroom full of rambunctious, second grade Providence Elementrians bent on making the most of the obvious opportunity afforded.
Among the many and varied vicissitudes of substitute teaching, this good sub found one particular student to be a bit more of a handful than the rest. After multiple attempts to quell the class leader in his subtle insurrection, she picked up her chalk and determinedly turned to the chalkboard. She would deal with this young scalawag!
Apparently, in this class, one’s name was put on the board as a warning. Further misconduct was followed by successive checkmarks. Upon receiving enough of these checks, the recipient would be sent on a little trip to the principal’s office.
“Young man,” the teacher snapped, “what is your name?”
“Aaron,” came the innocent reply.
“How do you spell that?”
Instead of quaking and trembling in fear, the rascal in question stood up straight and tall, fists on his hips, and boldly declared,
“Big A.........Little A.....................R.....O.....N.”
Alas I do not know how the rest of that day in 2nd grade went, however I do know that Aaron was a guy who, at a very young age, knew exactly who he was and was not afraid to stand tall and declare it in the face of grave Second Grade peril!
Many years after this incident, Lorraine (my friend/roommate/and sister really........)
.......(what else do you call a gal who’s wedding picture hangs in line with yours on mom & dad’s Bride Wall? And more importantly, whose love and friendship are engraved on the very fibers of your heart and soul?!).........
......Lorraine......came to live with us during the time of her engagement and I slowly became acquainted with Aaron through her. Oh how she loved him and adored him! It was evident in every word, every look, every sigh.......(sigh!)
I further became acquainted with Aaron through my husband Tyler’s continual reassurances that Aaron was indeed a worthy match for Lorraine, equally yoked in every way, and that it was a great blessing to have him marrying “into the family” as it were. (He spoke the truthJ.)
In the blessed years that have followed, I have watched the two of them grow together in eternal love, friendship, faith, and continued goodness. I have come to understand that Aaron is indeed a man who knows who he is! When faced with obstacles Aaron has, much like that day in second Grade, stood tall and firm in the face of those difficulties....He and Lorraine together.
And now as they face this new formidable ‘teacher’, Cancer, we do not find them cowering behind the proverbial ‘desk’ shaking in fear. We have watched, somewhat in awe, as Aaron and Lorraine have stood firm and steadfast to meet this soul-wrenching trial. Not with hands on hips this time, but hand in hand with each other and with the Lord........Quietly confident in the knowledge of who they really are, beloved children of an Almighty God, and unfalteringly confident in their Father’s love for them and His plan for their family.
And so..........
“Big A......Little A.........R.....O.....N”
and
Beautiful Lorraine
We add our faith and testimony to yours: That God lives, that He loves you, that His plan for you and your family will be more beautiful and glorious than your most cherished hopes and dreams. Know that we love you and the twelve of us are exercising our faith and prayers in your behalf; pleading before the throne of God for strength, for courage, for understanding, for patience, for hope, for reassurance, for miracles, and for peace for you and your beautiful family!
‘Sure Love Ya’,
Kiplin Crook Griffin (Tyler Jay Griffin)
& Benjamin, Jacob, Eleesia, Kinley, Jarret, Cambria, Jenna, Brennan, Ellia Anagayle, & baby griffin-in progress
I’ve heard the story for as long as I’ve been married to Tyler Griffin. Often when talking about Aaron Thatcher, Tyler would mention the day they had a substitute in Mrs. Gettman’s second grade class....
At first he would bring the story up just for the fun of telling it.....but later, by request from our children as they would say, “Tell us about that time when Aaron............” It has passed from reality.....into legend.... into folklore here at the Griffin household. The incident is as follows:
On a particular day in Mrs. Gettman’s class, a worthy substitute teacher found herself facing a classroom full of rambunctious, second grade Providence Elementrians bent on making the most of the obvious opportunity afforded.
Among the many and varied vicissitudes of substitute teaching, this good sub found one particular student to be a bit more of a handful than the rest. After multiple attempts to quell the class leader in his subtle insurrection, she picked up her chalk and determinedly turned to the chalkboard. She would deal with this young scalawag!
Apparently, in this class, one’s name was put on the board as a warning. Further misconduct was followed by successive checkmarks. Upon receiving enough of these checks, the recipient would be sent on a little trip to the principal’s office.
“Young man,” the teacher snapped, “what is your name?”
“Aaron,” came the innocent reply.
“How do you spell that?”
Instead of quaking and trembling in fear, the rascal in question stood up straight and tall, fists on his hips, and boldly declared,
“Big A.........Little A.....................R.....O.....N.”
Alas I do not know how the rest of that day in 2nd grade went, however I do know that Aaron was a guy who, at a very young age, knew exactly who he was and was not afraid to stand tall and declare it in the face of grave Second Grade peril!
Many years after this incident, Lorraine (my friend/roommate/and sister really........)
.......(what else do you call a gal who’s wedding picture hangs in line with yours on mom & dad’s Bride Wall? And more importantly, whose love and friendship are engraved on the very fibers of your heart and soul?!).........
......Lorraine......came to live with us during the time of her engagement and I slowly became acquainted with Aaron through her. Oh how she loved him and adored him! It was evident in every word, every look, every sigh.......(sigh!)
I further became acquainted with Aaron through my husband Tyler’s continual reassurances that Aaron was indeed a worthy match for Lorraine, equally yoked in every way, and that it was a great blessing to have him marrying “into the family” as it were. (He spoke the truthJ.)
In the blessed years that have followed, I have watched the two of them grow together in eternal love, friendship, faith, and continued goodness. I have come to understand that Aaron is indeed a man who knows who he is! When faced with obstacles Aaron has, much like that day in second Grade, stood tall and firm in the face of those difficulties....He and Lorraine together.
And now as they face this new formidable ‘teacher’, Cancer, we do not find them cowering behind the proverbial ‘desk’ shaking in fear. We have watched, somewhat in awe, as Aaron and Lorraine have stood firm and steadfast to meet this soul-wrenching trial. Not with hands on hips this time, but hand in hand with each other and with the Lord........Quietly confident in the knowledge of who they really are, beloved children of an Almighty God, and unfalteringly confident in their Father’s love for them and His plan for their family.
And so..........
“Big A......Little A.........R.....O.....N”
and
Beautiful Lorraine
We add our faith and testimony to yours: That God lives, that He loves you, that His plan for you and your family will be more beautiful and glorious than your most cherished hopes and dreams. Know that we love you and the twelve of us are exercising our faith and prayers in your behalf; pleading before the throne of God for strength, for courage, for understanding, for patience, for hope, for reassurance, for miracles, and for peace for you and your beautiful family!
‘Sure Love Ya’,
Kiplin Crook Griffin (Tyler Jay Griffin)
& Benjamin, Jacob, Eleesia, Kinley, Jarret, Cambria, Jenna, Brennan, Ellia Anagayle, & baby griffin-in progress
I have loved reading stories from the wonderful Crook family. Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful post. Melissa Howell
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you for writing. I loved this story. All of the Crook's have been so kind and thoughtful and have meant so much in Lorraine and Aaron's lives. We love you and your wonderful family. I could tell a few Tyler stories that show the greatness of Tyler Griffin.
ReplyDeleteLove you all,
Kathy Thatcher