Funeral Homily for Aaron Edward Kimel Delivered by Father Alvin F . Ki mel, Jr . 22 June 2012 In the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Introduction

Not once have I ever entertained the possibility that I would ever find myself in this moment, preaching at the funeral of one of my children. I stand here today n ot to offer a eulogy fo r my son Aaron. There will be other opportunities for such eulogies, as we each seek to find healing for our loss and to understand the tragic decision of Aaron to end his life. My purpose, rather , is to of fer an ar gument. Aaron was brilliant. He loved a good argument, and he usually won. Aaron and I did not often speak about God. At some point in high school he moved into a scientific materialism from which he would not be moved. He was not a mili tant atheist, as he acknowledged that it was possible, however unlikely , that God might exist; but he simply could not, would not, embrace a Christian worldview . Y et for the sake of family, he always said grace with us at dinnertime.