This memorial website was created in the memory of our loved one, Aaron Michael Hicks who was born on August 07, 1981 in Council Bluffs, IA to Gaylin and Christine (Thomas) Hicks. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1999. Aaron was a machine operator at Drake-Williams Steel in Omaha for the past 4 years.

He was a member of South Omaha Church of God, Eagles Club, Aerie #104. He LOVED NASCAR and #88, Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

Aaron was preceded in death by his brother, Jason Hicks in 1975; grandfather, Gene Thomas; grandparents, Merlin and Margaret Hicks; Uncle, Terry Thomas. 

Aaron is survived by his parents, Gaylin and Chris Hicks of Council Bluffs; sister Rachel Marie Wellman and husband Terry of Neola; Grandmother, Joyce Thomas of Omaha; Aunts, Uncles, cousins; two nieces. 

Thanks to all for visiting this website.  We will remember Aaron forever.   He left life lasting memories with everyone he came in contact with.  To those who knew Aaron always remember that beautiful smile he ALWAYS had on his face,and remember how much he cared for and loved his friends and family, and basically everyone around him!!!   Remember how Aaron would do just about anything!  His legacy will live on through so many people, and change so many lives.  Aaron was truly one of a kind and everywhere he went he cheered people up just by being himself!  Aaron really did live his life to the fullest and even though his life was way too short i'm sure he had no regrets.  Don't ever forget "the sweater" or the cricket noises, think of him everytime you hear one.  He touched so many lives and now through us we will need to continue the memory of Aaron Michael Hicks.  Please if you have any stories please share them or any photos please upload them.

My wish to all who read this is that you never hold back the words "I love you" to your friends or families. Time so quickly passes and words can never be retracted. So you should always remember to tell someone what they really mean in your life. Aaron left this world way to early for each one of us; but it was his time to depart. None of us are guaranteed tomorrow, so live each day as if it were your last. Mend your relationships both here on earth and with your Maker. Be prepared to make the journey home and to be reunited with those who have gone before you. My love goes out to all of Aaron's friends, and family. May you find peace with his passing.

Please check back every once in a while as I will be changing and adding things all the time, and if you come to this site please light a candle in memory of Aaron, and please share a story you might have about him under the tributes and condolences. Thanks to all for keeping Aaron's memory and legacy going!! Love you!

I Believe.....

I believe – that you should end every conversation with kind words and a smile, and if you love someone, tell them so. You never know when you’ve spoken to someone for the last time.

I believe – that even though there are times when you think you can’t go on, you really can. It’s just that some days are much easier than others.

I believe – that even though people may not remember what you said or what you did, they will always remember how you made them feel. Make sure you always make them feel good – about themselves. This, they will never forget!

I believe – that heroes are born to every family, and you should always tell your heroes who they are.

I believe – that true friends are the ones who remember that sometimes the best thing they can give you is their ears. Sometimes you need a friend’s advice. Sometimes you just need a friend who can listen.

I believe – that it doesn’t matter how old you are. You are never too old or too young to be kind to someone else in need, and you’re never immune to needing a helping hand yourself once in awhile.

I believe – that the world never stops just because your world has been destroyed. The sun continues to rise even when you wish it wouldn’t, but it’s God’s reminder to us that life does go on.

I believe – God loves us and grieves when we are sad.

I believe – that nothing is stronger than the capacity of the human spirit in a crisis.

I believe – that the people you care about most are always taken from you too soon. Of course, anytime is too soon.

I believe – that even when you think you have nothing left inside you to give, when someone cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.

I believe – that God never leaves us. Sometime we just get so overwhelmed by our sorrow, that we forget to raise our eyes to meet His.

I believe – in the power of prayer. God still listens and cares, and He still answers prayer.

I believe – that God will never give me any more than I can handle. However, His faith in me is often much greater than my faith in Him.

I believe – that life is full of mountains and valleys and that they are each placed there to make me become the person God intends for me to be.

I believe – that five minutes after arriving in Heaven and standing in God’s awesome Glory, every unanswered question or complaint I ever had in this life will instantly be forgotten.

I believe – the answers to every question that is of any importance in this life can be found in the Bible. If I can’t find the answer there, then either the question isn’t important, or the answer is too complicated for me to understand, otherwise God would have placed the answers within easier reach.

I believe – someone, somewhere is looking up to me. As scary as that sounds, everyone is someone’s hero. I hope I can live up to being who they think I am.

I believe – if I take things one day at a time and let God take care of eternity, things will be much better off than the other way around.

I believe – hope is more important than love, not just because it’s first in the dictionary, but because without it, no other emotion can exist.

I believe – that no matter what happens to me today, there is nothing so great or so terrible that God and I together can’t handle it. Truth be known, He can handle it better if I leave it completely alone.

I believe – in miracles. The God that performed miracles in the Old Testament is the same God today, and He is still in the miracle business. The fact that I can still function, even in my grief, is a one of them.

I believe - the best present you can give anyone is a smile. It doesn’t cost anything. It can’t be refused. It’s always appreciated and it softens hearts. A genuine smile can be given to anyone, anywhere, anytime.                                       

Dry Your Eyes

You've witnessed my faith in Jesus
as you've watched me through the years.
And now as I watch while you grieve
there are way too many tears.

Please let there be some tears of Joy
even though I know you grieve,
for now I'm home with my sweet Lord.
It was time for me to leave.

In life we're never quite ready
to say that last "Goodbye",
but if you've ever listened, do it now.
I tell you the truth ~ I did not die!

Oh, I don't need that tired, worn body
for I've changed, like the butterfly.
Bury that worn out caterpillar
and rejoice, for I now can fly!

For Jesus is faithful in His promises
and He promised I would live again
in a mansion He has prepared for me,
more beautiful than you've ever seen.

There is no more sadness or sorrow
in this place where I now reside.
I rejoice in a Heavenly reunion
with other loved ones now close by my side.

Life on earth for me was such a struggle.
Trials and tribulations, I had my share.
It always seemed like an uphill fight
in my struggle to find any peace there.

But now my Joy is made complete
and my Peace, you can't now understand,
as I walk beside the Father
who tenderly holds onto my hand.

My greatest fear while on this earth
and the reason I say these words to you,
is so I can finally rest assured
that one day you'll be coming here, too.

Please don't delay in accepting Christ
who helped me reach my destination.
If you Believe, then I will rest in peace,
awaiting the day of our Grand Celebration!

As long as I just know you're coming,
that your Faith will let you enter Heaven's gate,
then I'll wait here with all the Angels
and rejoice and patiently wait.

Now, as you turn to move on with your life,
step outside and look up into the sky.
Know in your heart that I still love you.
Know in your heart that I did not die!

AND GOD SAID

I said, "God, I hurt."
And God said, "I know."

I said, "God, I cry a lot."
And God said, "That is why I gave you tears."

I said "God, I am so depressed."
And God said, "That is why I gave you Sunshine."

I said, "God, life is so hard."
And God said, "That is why I gave you loved ones."

I said, "God, my loved one died."
And God said, "So did mine."

I said, "God, it is such a loss."
And God said, "I saw mine nailed to a cross."

I said, "God, but your loved one lives."
And God said, "So does yours."

I said, "God, where are they now?"
And God said, "Mine is on My right and yours will be in the Light."

I said, "God, it hurts."
And God said, "I know."

In Our Hearts

We thought of you with love today,
But that is nothing new.
We thought about you yesterday.
And days before that too.
We think of you in silence.
We often speak your name.
Now all we have is memories.
And your picture in a frame.
Your memory is our keepsake.
With which we’ll never part.
God has you in his keeping.
We have you in our heart.
     

Psalm 34:18
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit

Jeremiah 29,11-14 For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart.

Death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart. (Ecclesiastes 7:2)

I have told you these things so that you will have peace of heart and mind, here on earth you will have many trials and sorrow, but cheer up, for I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our father, who has loved us and given us everlasting comfort and hope which we don't deserve, comfort your hearts with all comfort, and help you in every good thing you say and do. ( 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)

What a wonderful God we have-He is the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials and WHY does he, and why does he do this? So that when others are troubled needing our sympathy and encouragement we can pass on th them this same help and comfort God has given us.

Why are you downcast, 0 my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. (Psalm 43:5)

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die ... a time to weep and a time to laugh ... a time to mourn and a time to dance... (Ecclesiastes 3:1-4)

We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. (Romans 5:3-4)

                                   I thank my God everytime I remember you. (Philippians 1:3)

Promises

God hath not promised
Skies always blue
Flower-strewn pathways
All our lives through.


God hath not promised
Sun without rain
Joy without sorrow
Peace without pain.

But God hath promise
Strength for the day
Rest for the labor
Light for the way;


Grace for the trials
Help from above
Unfailing sympathy
Undying love.

When tomorrow starts without me


When tomorrow starts without me,
And I'm not there to see;
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn't cry
The way you did today,

While thinking of the many things,
We didn't get to say.
I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too;

But when tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name,
And took me by the hand,
And said my place was ready,
In heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind
All those I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away,
A tear fell from my eye,
For all my life, I'd always thought,
I didn't want to die.
I had so much to live for,
So much yet to do,
It seemed almost impossible,
That I was leaving you.
I thought of all the yesterdays,
The good ones and the bad,
I thought of all the love we shared,
And all the fun we had.

If I could relive yesterday,
Just even for awhile,
I'd say good-bye and kiss you
And maybe see you smile.
But then I fully realized,
That this could never be
For emptiness and memories,
Would take the place of me.

And when I thought of worldly things,
I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did,
My heart was filled with sorrow.
But when I walked
through heaven's gates,
I felt so much at home.

When God looked down and smiled at me,
From His great golden throne,
He said "This is eternity,
And all I've promised you."
Today for life on earth is past,
But here it starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow,
But today will always last,
And since each day's the same way
There's no longing for the past.
But you have been so faithful,
So trusting and so true.
Though there were times you did some things,
You knew you shouldn't do.
But you have been forgiven
And now at last you're free.
So won't you take my hand
And share my life with me?

So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don't think we're far apart,
For every time you think of me,
I'm right here, in your heart.

You Meant So Much

You meant so much to all of us
You were special and that's no lie
You brightened up the darkest day
And the cloudiest sky

Your smile alone warmed hearts
Your laugh was like music to hear
I would give absolutely anything
To have you well and standing near

Not a second passes
When you're not on our minds
Your love we will never forget
The hurt will ease in time

Many tears I have seen and cried
They have all poured out like rain
I know that you are happy now
And no longer in any pain.

You think you’ll have forever

By Lindsey Finch

You think you’ll have forever

To do all the things you didn’t do

You think you’ll have forever

To live your lives together, just you two

You think you’ll have forever

To say all the things you wanted to say

You think you’ll have forever

To get to live out a brand new day

You think you’ll have forever

So you don’t say exactly what you feel

You think you’ll have forever

You leave wounds broken, instead of trying to heal

You think you’ll have forever

So you never cherished the time you had

You think you’ll have forever

So you didn’t care if you made each other mad

You think you’ll have forever

So you didn’t say you’re sorry, in fear of losing your pride

You think you’ll have forever

So you didn’t say I love you enough and kept it all inside

You think you’ll have forever

But your forever has just come to an end

You think you’ll have forever

But you just lost your one and only best friend

You think you’ll have forever

But life is way too short and very unfair

You think you’ll have forever

But God has other plans and we are unaware

You think you’ll have forever

And you begin to question and wonder why

You think you’ll have forever

But you don’t understand and all you do is cry

You think you’ll have forever

But now it’s hard to make it through each day

You think you’ll have forever

But without your presence here it’s hard to even pray

You think you’ll have forever

But I know our forever is still in sight

You think you’ll have forever

For our God has promised it, and all will be alright

You think you’ll have forever

And until the day comes when we meet again

You think you’ll have forever

But we will have forever and live an eternal life, AMEN!