You can view video of Aidan’s celebratory wake in South Africa in 2 parts – (each about 12 minutes long)
Parts of the celebration include:
httpv://youtu.be/2-m8f9H6ic4″
httpv://youtu.be/suxvgwoOnW0″
Words from Debbie Cornell Wolter – A Eulogy
Aidan,
I would just like to share a few thoughts about Aidan – the extraordinary young man who has touched the lives of all us here.
Like of many of you, I have known Aidan – fondly known as A – since his birth on 25th June 1986. This little blonde baby boy with the biggest blue eyes ever arrived in Alison and Neil’s life with a lot of celebration and joy.
Our lives were not the same after that.
I have vivid memories of him in a paddling pool at Pringle Bay with our father.
Playing hide and seek under a kikoi with Vaun.
A smiling happy shiny toddler with the most incredibly big blue eyes.
He grew into an assured and beautiful boy still with the same infectious laugh, wicked sense of humour and brave heart. It was no mystery where his infectious laugh and wicked sense of humour came from.
He adored his mom and I remember him sitting on his potty watching early morning cartoons – chatting away merrily while Ali prepared school lunch and got ready for her day.
He also loved babies and food and music and stories and laughing.
I have an incredibly clear memory of him arriving with Ali & Neil to meet my 1 day old baby girl, Zoe. He fell instantly in love with her and earnestly asked Ali if they couldn’t take her home with them and Glen & I could get another one!!!
And then when Laila was born, he was ecstatic. He felt that they had a “family” now and he became a support to Ali way beyond his years and a fantastic patient big brother to Laila. Throughout Laila’s amazing but short life, Aidan was his precious little sister’s protector and best friend.
During her illness, he was brave and courageous and kind. As Ali has said, Aidan sustained her in the sad and dark days after Laila passed away.
Then Aidan and Ali moved to Brisbane for the next part of their journey and we missed them terribly but had Ali’s proud emails to keep us in the loop.
The last few years have again confirmed what an extraordinary young man Aidan grew into. He faced all that life threw at him with courage, dignity & his inimitable humour.
We loved and respected and admired him and the way that he has handled the last few years. His love for his mother and wife surrounded him and he told me in an email last year that they were his angels on earth and asked that we looked after them. I know that he will have found Laila and his other angels on the other side of the horizon.
I also want to mention his granny, Rita, who is with us today and his grandpa Fanie who is at home thinking about Aidan right now and Neil in England. I know that you are all proud that this amazing young man bears your name and miss him dearly.
During the past few weeks, we have also had the pleasure of getting to know Aidan’s beautiful young wife – I am afraid that I find it hard to express our feelings about her without sounding like a hallmark card. Aleisha, your dignity and kindness, your passion and energy is astounding. I would like to thank you and Jackie for deciding to come here to spend the first anniversary of Aidan’s passing with his South African family and friends. Travelling here with Ali and your mom must have been very hard and it is typical of the young woman that we are catching a glimpse of that you wanted to be here with Rita for this day.
Bless you.
Ali words fail me – you are the most incredible woman that I know. I am sure that A is so proud of you for the way that you have coped over the past year and the years of his illness. I am sure that he loves the spread that you guys have laid on & the music & slide show. You keep his memory alive for all of us with your amazing blog – thank you.
We were privileged to have known him and we have been inspired and enriched watching how he has lived his life and loved his wife and mother. May he rest in peace.
Please let us drink to Aidan Cale Needham.