A letter from Lani
I don’t even know where to start, or what to say. First, I’ll introduce myself to those of you who do not know me. I am April Groves. Lani is my “BBF” - Best Bloggy Friend. Over the past months, we have become really close and her feelings are very important to me. Today, I ask them to be important to you.
The handsome young man in Lani’s video posting yesterday is 24 year old Aaron Anglin - Lani’s baby brother. On his way to Lani’s house yesterday, he was killed in a car accident. She has asked me to come relay this message.
To me, the important thing to know is that the crazy kid in the funny video is my newly 24 year old little brother Aaron who died yesterday on impact. He was driving to my house (to make another silly video) and was driving with his wife (Aleisha Anglin, 25) and their two babies (Eleanor who turns 1 THIS week and McKenzie who is only 6 weeks old). Aleisha & Eleanor should be released today and McKenzie is in the ICU in improving condition. We have tons of family surrounding us and St. Thomas More parish is providing food this week for our entire family! Aaron was awesome and his marketing work can be found at http://benaaronanglin.carbonmade.com. He was confirmed in the Catholic faith last week, laughed his butt off at ICanHasCheezburger.com with me this week. We were born 18 months apart (Irish twins) and grew up as best friends with so many lame stories.
The details of the accident, while not factually correct, can be found at KeyeTV and KVUE. Lani asked that they be linked anyway.
She has asked that the video not be removed. Not from here or the other places it is posted. But I am asking three things
- If you have the video posted, or intend to post it, please mention the circumstances.
- Lani would never tell anyone how to run their blog, but I am asking that we moderate our comments based on the nature of the situation. We all know that everybody does not have a sense of humor and flaming would not be appropriate at this time.
- Just enjoy the video as it is - it a a wonderful memory of a beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend.
When she called, I didn’t have the words. I still don’t. Please keep her and their family in your prayers.
Lani had one final thing to ask.
My brother and his wife are not rich by any stretch of the imagination and Aleisha has a very hard time ahead- if you or anyone else can think of any way to aim finances at her, she really needs it. Assisting in an optometry office is a great profession but pays very little- certainly not enough to cover a funeral, medical bills for three people and a life ahead as a single mother.
I can be reached at aprilgroves@gmail.com if anyone has any desires to pass personal messages or offer assistance.
September 25th, 2007 at 12:03 am
Oh how tragic. My heart goes out to Lani, Benn, and the rest of the family — especially Aleisha, Eleanor and McKenzie.
I simply don’t know what to say or do…
Rest in Peace Aaron.
September 25th, 2007 at 12:15 am
I’m very sorry for your loss, Lani, and for Aleisha’s, Eleanor’s and McKenzie’s.
September 25th, 2007 at 12:23 am
wow…I’m stunned. My heart-felt prayers go out to Aaron’s family. He obviously had a great sense of humor, and will be missed terribly by his family. Life can be so incredibly short.
thanks for letting us know about this April…
September 25th, 2007 at 12:38 am
Very sorry to hear this. Please extend my condolences to the family.
September 25th, 2007 at 12:45 am
Too teary to respond except to offer my deepest, most heartfelt prayers.
September 25th, 2007 at 12:46 am
[...] Ben Aaron Anglin, the young man featureed in this video, was killed in a car crash shortly after filming this. The family has asked that video remain [...]
September 25th, 2007 at 12:49 am
Sorry to hear this. He was obviously a talented guy. He will surely be missed. R.I.P. Aaron.
September 25th, 2007 at 12:53 am
[...] There is a post about Aaron on Lani's blog. [...]
September 25th, 2007 at 1:27 am
[...] Lani’s wonderful baby brother was killed yesterday in a car wreck. Her words can be found here… [...]
September 25th, 2007 at 1:41 am
I am stunned. My prayers go the family - especially Aleisha, Eleanor and McKenzie!
September 25th, 2007 at 1:43 am
I have no words. Just virtual hugs. I’m not family. I wish I could have met the young man that made my week by making me laugh so hard .
September 25th, 2007 at 1:44 am
April,
Can you please drop me a quick email? Tnx. mp
September 25th, 2007 at 1:54 am
Oh Lani. I’m so sorry. I’ve been thinking about you for days and haven’t taken the time to tell you so. Obviously I wish I had told you these things earlier, but I offer you my prayers, love and hugs.
September 25th, 2007 at 1:55 am
[...] My heart is broken over at The Chaos for my dear friend Lani Anglin. She lost her brother yesterday. Her words are here. [...]
September 25th, 2007 at 1:56 am
[...] Lani Anglin lost a brother yesterday, and his children lost their father. April Groves has the details at Lani’s site. [...]
September 25th, 2007 at 2:20 am
A sad day, Lani. My heart is heavy with your loss. Our family’s prayers will remember Aaron.
September 25th, 2007 at 2:38 am
I knew this guy, but just a little — I was a customer a few times a week where he worked. Seriously nice guy. I just found out today and I’m floored. For someone you just see for five minutes every few days he really made an impression. It always improved my day to see him. My heart truly goes out to his family.
September 25th, 2007 at 3:11 am
Benn & Lani-
You have my heartfelt prayers for peace for you and your family. Also, a quick recovery for the living. And glory for the deceased. May God bless.
September 25th, 2007 at 3:34 am
How tragic. Now, he is in the welcoming arms of his Lord and Savior. Linda and I send our condolences.
September 25th, 2007 at 4:02 am
My prayers are for you and the family. We’ll also unite with others to take care of the practical. For now though — this is where your faith is tested. We’re all with you.
September 25th, 2007 at 4:13 am
[...] I found out she lost her very dear brother Aaron Anglin in a car accident. April Groves posted some details at RE Revealed earlier today. My heart goes out to Aaron, his surviving wife and two young daughters. May God have [...]
September 25th, 2007 at 4:29 am
Lani–I am so saddened to hear of your loss. Hugs to you across the Internet.
September 25th, 2007 at 4:52 am
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
September 25th, 2007 at 5:00 am
[...] Our deepest sympathies go out to Lani Anglin and her family. Lani is well known in the real estate blogging family for her writings on BloodHound Blog and her personal blog, RERevealed. [...]
September 25th, 2007 at 5:07 am
[...] young star of this video is Aaron Anglin. He died in a tragic car accident yesterday. Our prayers are with the entire Anglin [...]
September 25th, 2007 at 5:13 am
Stunned doesn’t even describe my emotions.
I laughed and laughed and laughed at his video, and also forwarded it to my colleagues.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Lani.
September 25th, 2007 at 5:17 am
Lani
My thoughts and prayers go out to your family.
God Bless You All.
Tom
September 25th, 2007 at 5:58 am
[...] may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!One of our fellow real estate bloggers, Lani Anglin, tragically lost her brother in a car accident; and her brother’s family lost a father and [...]
September 25th, 2007 at 6:02 am
Hang in there Lani.
September 25th, 2007 at 6:02 am
My heartfelt wishes for peace, healing and comfort in each other during this terrible time. I’m truly sorry for your loss.
September 25th, 2007 at 6:20 am
There aren’t words, Lani, so I won’t try … you’re in our prayers.
September 25th, 2007 at 6:28 am
My deepest sympathy, Lani.
September 25th, 2007 at 6:53 am
Well crud.
September 25th, 2007 at 6:56 am
I heard the news today and like everyone else here was deeply stunned. I am so sorry for your loss, but know that Aaron is an angel in heaven. In the little time I have known him through RCIA, he and his family have become dear to me. Hugs and love to all.
September 25th, 2007 at 7:12 am
Lani - My deepest sympathy and prayers to you and your entire family…….
September 25th, 2007 at 7:14 am
[...] Revealed author Lani Anglin’s brother died today in a car accident. Summary. This comes as I recall right on the heels of another family passing for her [...]
September 25th, 2007 at 7:25 am
[...] More at Lani’s site. September 24, 2007 | Filed Under RE Blogs [...]
September 25th, 2007 at 7:43 am
Down, down, down into the darkness of the grave
Gently they go, the beautiful, the tender, the kind;
Quietly they go, the intelligent, the witty, the brave.
I know. But I do not approve. And I am not resigned.
—Edna St. Vincent Millay
I am so sorry for your great loss, Lani. My prayers go out to Aleisha, Eleanor and McKenzie, and the entire family. Love is stronger than death.
September 25th, 2007 at 8:05 am
[...] you haven’t read this story, please do so. It’s great to see so many real estate bloggers rallying around a fellow member [...]
September 25th, 2007 at 8:28 am
I extend my deepest sympathies to Lani and Aaron’s young widow and children. How tragic.
September 25th, 2007 at 9:09 am
[...] among Realtors, and today we learn that the star was killed in a car accident. He was brother to a fellow friend and blogger. He leaves behind a young wife and two daughters, both less than a year [...]
September 25th, 2007 at 9:28 am
I’m so sorry for your family’s loss, but so glad the rest of the family is okay. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
September 25th, 2007 at 9:45 am
Dan was honored to have sponsored Aaron into the Catholic faith, to be a part of Aaron receiving his first reconciliation, first communion and confirmation only eight days before his death. The timing is remarkable as was Aaron. Our family is blessed to have known Aaron and blessed to try to be a part of his family’s healing. Eternal rest grant to him Oh Lord.
Dan, Valerie, Rachel and Sylvia Gramlich
September 25th, 2007 at 9:45 am
[...] RE Revealed « A letter from Lani [...]
September 25th, 2007 at 10:41 am
Lani:
Dear God, I am so sorry to hear of your tragedy. Prayers and thoughts are with you, your family, Aleisha, Eleanor and McKenzie.
And just yesterday afternoon you were writing about your grandmother who abandoned all to go help the helpless in an African orphanage.
You have an amazing family and an enormous assortment of friends.
September 25th, 2007 at 10:57 am
[...] long after that blog response, April Groves at R.E. Revealed says Lani received word that her younger brother had been killed in a car crash on his way over to [...]
September 25th, 2007 at 11:13 am
[...] is the younger brother of Lani Anglin, my dear blog-friend at r.e. Revealed. He was the "star" in a Realtor video spoof that was released late Thursday [...]
September 25th, 2007 at 11:55 am
[...] friend Lani could really use your [...]
September 25th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
So so sorry about your loss.
September 25th, 2007 at 3:18 pm
[...] of our fellow real estate bloggers, Lani Anglin, tragically lost her brother in a car accident; and her brother’s family lost a father and [...]
September 25th, 2007 at 5:21 pm
[...] sister is a blogger. She’s a best buddy of our friend, April Groves. April tells the story of the accident on Lani’s blog and also points to the television reports. Her commentary explains how alive and joyful this young [...]
September 25th, 2007 at 6:43 pm
Lani, you and your family our in our prayers.
September 25th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
[...] baby brother, Aaron, was killed in a car accident Sunday. Surviving him is his wife and two baby [...]
September 25th, 2007 at 7:55 pm
I read codolendes yesterday at facebook and did not know what they were about - I am terribly sorry for your loss and my prayers will be with you and your family.
September 25th, 2007 at 9:23 pm
I am so sorry for your loss, my heart and prayers go out to the entire family…….
September 25th, 2007 at 11:26 pm
The entire Anglin family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
September 25th, 2007 at 11:41 pm
[...] brother of real estate blogger Lani Anglin died in a tragic car accident. His family was injured as well. The blogging community has come [...]
September 25th, 2007 at 11:45 pm
Thinking of you with a heavy heart. God bless.
September 26th, 2007 at 12:02 am
I repeat Joe’s words: Love is stronger than death. I, too, was just confirmed in the Catholic faith last Easter, just a month before my father-in-law (an inspiration to my being confirmed) passed away after a tragic accident. Knowing in my whole heart and mind that God is love carried me through the pain. I hope you, too, find peace and love.
September 26th, 2007 at 12:32 am
[...] well as her own R.E. Revealed and Beautiful Chaos. Tragically, Lani’s brother, Aaron, was killed in a car accident this past Sunday. Aaron’s wife, Aleisha, and two children, Eleanore (1) and McKenzie (6 weeks!), were in the [...]
September 26th, 2007 at 3:18 am
Lani, I am so sorry for your loss. My thought and prayers are with you and the entire Anglin family.
September 26th, 2007 at 7:00 am
Lani,
I know some of what you will go through. I lost my younger brother at about the same age. My thoughts and prayers are with you now.
September 26th, 2007 at 8:49 am
Thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
September 27th, 2007 at 6:30 am
[...] who are virtual friends - only a few face to face - rallied around one of our own. Lani’s family needed us, and we were there. We are still [...]
September 27th, 2007 at 9:15 pm
[...] Lani Anglin lost a brother yesterday, and his children lost their father. April Groves has the details at Lani’s site. [...]
October 4th, 2007 at 3:48 am
[...] R.E. Revealed, April Groves & Lani Anglin [...]
March 26th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
I saw Aaron’s video for the first time today. It is funny but carries even more meaning now. I am really sorry to hear about his tragic accident.
March 26th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
Thanks Michael. He’s a good kiddo
PS: Do you know Rebekah Herzog and Chris Lengquist? Both are friends of mine in Kansas City!
Great folks!