25. Losing My Religion

I read about him in the newspaper the other day, I think it was Tuesday’s Washington Post.  His first name was Aaron—which the world will likely forget by next week—and he was molested by his rabbi. 

When Aaron was in 7^th grade, his parents hired the rabbi to tutor him in religion.  Aaron complained to his parents after the rabbi fondled him.  His parents did not believe him.  They actually wanted Aaron to continue with the tutoring.  The tutoring and the abuse continued for over a year.    

How must that feel:  to not be heard?  to be ignored?  You have a problem that you cannot face alone, so you seek help and support by taking the situation to the people you trust most—your parents—only to be treated as if you made the whole thing up?

Aaron, who previously had been a straight A student and natural athlete, began to withdraw.  His self-esteem, along with his grades, plummeted.  He began to hang out with the wrong crowd.  He dabbled in drugs.  His parents continued to pretend that nothing was wrong.    

On his 18^th birthday, Aaron lay across railroad tracks under the dark of night, waiting for salvation.  His suicide note read: “I did not want things to end this way.  I feel dirty.  I feel ashamed.”

Aaron’s devastated parents now devote their withered lives to fighting sexual abuse in temples and churches.  The newspaper gave one last quote from Aaron’s father:  “He did not deserve this.  His heart was clean.”      

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trifecta challenge.  the word is "clean"