Brown hair and eyes, and glasses, too,
That's how I remember Braden Aboud.
It was First Baptist Church, the 4th grade-class
In looking back, several years have passed.
He was nine years old, bright, well-behaved.
He made an impression from that very first day.
He’d suffered an injury to his eye
But he never complained nor even cried.
He touched my heart and I often prayed
For his healing then, and to this day.
When he left our class I didn't see him again
But ask about him through his cousins, the twins.
The three were close, Braden, Colton and Kelsey,
Filled with potential, it was easy to see.
I was sad when that teaching year came to an end
But I thought, "As they grow, I'll see them again."
Your precious, beloved and only son,
Was suddenly called home by the Crucified One.
You didn't expect this, it's so very hard
Grief now overwhelms you, you were caught off guard.
You had, for him, such hopes and dreams
And now they're dashed, or so it seems
But God had a much greater plan
The mind of man can't comprehend.
Take comfort in this, Braden is safe in the arms
Of His Lord and Savior where he'll never be harmed.
His future secure, his peace is complete
He is praising and singing at Jesus’ own feet.
Though knowing this won't remove all your pain,
You loved this young man and will see him again.
Though separated from his presence for short awhile
Hold tight to your memories, remember his smile.
He loved the outdoors, he loved playing sports
He enjoyed his life, so entwined with yours.
Because of his family, he came to know Christ
And the blessed hope of eternal life.
Braden's name will still live on and on
Though his time on earth was too quickly gone
A legacy, he left, that will inspire
His friends and peers to aim much higher.
Lives were touched by Braden's, and still will be
As you lay him to rest, may God help you to see
That the Gospel will be heard by many new ears
And some may be saved in the coming years.
It's often through death that new life begins
In nature and so in the hearts of men.
Through Braden's homegoing may many see
That day, too, have a hope for eternity.
With fondest memories of Braden,
Carol McDonald 02-06-2007
Braden's 4th grade Sunday School teaching team