Letters

The following letters have been submitted from Brandon’s family members, friends, and website visitors.

TO: BRANDON, FROM: MOM

My beautiful son is gone and my heart can not mend. Everyday something reminds me of you and I cry. Sometimes it’s a happy cry and sometimes it’s a sad one. I don’t know how to function without you. You were always sitting at the computer everyday when I came home. Now there is a empty seat. I shut my eyes and think of nothing more then you. I sleep but not a restful sleep. Nobody knows my pain. I will remember all the great times we had with friends at the house. You video taping Kahlief and everyone doing and saying stupid stuff. You would just sit there and laugh and not say anything. I miss that laugh and smile so much!!! There is so much I could type but we would be here forever. We will fight your fight Brandon and you will live forever in our hearts. I’m sorry you were hurt so bad by the bullies. I can’t believe they drove you to this and I am sorry I never realized your pain. I would have taken all of it plus more so you didn’t have to suffer. You are missed by all my beautiful son. In time I will see you again and until that day I will think of you often. I love you so much Brandon!!!

TO: BRANDON, FROM: DARREN, President of the Gay-Straight Alliance at Guilford Tech Community College in NC

Dear Brandon,

I never knew you until a few days ago, but now that I do, I will always carry your memory inside me. There is hatred in this world, hatred that hurts so many people, so many people just like you. It’s for you, Brandon, for you and of those you’re with now, that I fight this hatred, that I do everything I can to end this rampant homophobia, so that everyone can be open with who they are, so that no one has to face the bullying or the hatred any longer.

Thank you, Brandon, for lending me your strength, for helping me to fight this fight.

TO: BRANDON, FROM: LAURA

Brandon

You were a sweet and wonderful boy, I knew you since you started riding our school bus. We use to talk all the time on the bus. You will be missed dearly. I remember when my family and I use to go fishing down really close to your house and you would come talk to me. I use to enjoy those talks. I will never forget you Brandon. My prayers are with you and your family. I know you are in a better place now. We shall meet again someday.

Rest In Sweet Peace Brandon. Everybody misses you. <3

TO: BRANDON, FROM: JEN

It’s now been three days since you left us and it’s getting harder and harder each day…as I knew it would. You said you would be with us through everything, the crying, etc…and I know you are. Just Friday…or was it Saturday?…the days are all a blur since that fateful day…Kahlief looked at me and said “Jennifer!”…and immediately your mom and I looked at each other. It only took maybe 3-4 seconds to remember where we heard that before. Then we had to laugh as we remembered you called me that while we were playing Mario Brothers and I purposely knocked you off the ledge…you yelled “Jennifer!” and that was the first time you have ever called me that. We laughed and laughed and laughed. Then Kahlief said he had no idea why he called me that and he had never done so before. That’s when I knew you were with us at that moment. And that made me smile…so you must be “ok” now up in heaven. No more tormenting going on. No more pain to go through each day…and for that I am happy. You were such a great person…it wasn’t supposed to be like this…not you. Not the sweetest, most caring person I have ever met. Not a talented young man with so much to live for. You were a perfectionist with everything you did. It had to be PERFECT or you would re-do it until it was. I will never forget you were my facebook buddy for all my many trips to the ER this year with my boys and my dad. You were the only one awake at all hours of the night and took the time to chat with me so I didn’t have to be alone for hours waiting for the dumb doctors. And now I just remembered our trip to Hershey this past summer…right before school started. You and your mom got to ride Fahrenheit. And I said “oh the line will only take 5-10 minutes…you should go”. And when you both got off the ride, an hour and a half or more later, you and your mom both said “Yeah, Jen, 5-10 minutes?! Yeah right!”…I laughed cause I knew it would take forever. If they were anything like me, I would have lost the nerve waiting in line…but not them…they were excited with anticipation. They rode it as Kahlief, Hunter and I thought they were NUTS for going on it. I think I even told him that and he just had that same smile he always had…grinning from ear to ear. I’m really gonna miss that smile. Even though your color was black and white, you really knew how to brighten up a room. Ethan, and my other boys too, will miss you greatly…as will I. Ethan pointed at your picture yesterday and said “Braaahhhhndon…he lives with Taaaaaahhhhhhmmmmy.” Yep, I said, he does. There was not many people that I would trust Ethan with or that he would even be content with while I was downstairs chatting/venting with your mom. That says a lot. He loved you and he’s not gonna understand where you are. But as he gets older, I will talk of you often. You will never be forgotten. I miss you like crazy now and always will…like I always told your mom…”you have a great kid and I hope my boys turn out half as good as he did”. Take care my friend.

TO: BRANDON, FROM: AUNT MARY N.

I remember visiting you in the hospital when you were born and how tiny you were and from there you started to walk on your tippy toes and your little calves got so strong. I watched you grow from there into the most lovable, caring and talented young man. I will never forget any of our times together throughout your life. I was blessed to have had you in my life and I will miss your kisses and hugs but I will never forget any of it. I love You.

I hope you are at peace now. You were the best little cousin ever. I will never forget our concert memories! Remember going to see Reba for this first time with your mom and the fiasco in the hotel parking lot? How about seeing Red and Skillet and you catching Red’s water bottle for me. You were so sweet, so smart, and so funny. I will miss you so much. I love you BRANDO!