If you knew Brandi, you knew that Brandi’s world stretched to include many people.
If you took time to know Brandi personally, you would know that throughout Brandi’s life, all she ever wanted was “family”.
A couple of days ago, I was told by someone who knew Brandi intimately, that she always felt alone and all she ever wanted was to know that someone loved her unconditionally and would always be there to support her and protect her.
Brandi had those people in her life whether she realized it or not. If you look around this room, you will realize that Brandi was loved by many and her “family” extended way past the boundaries of blood or legal relationship.
I can only share the part of Brandi’s life that I knew.
Brandi came into our life 19 years ago. A small, feisty, strong-willed, street-wise kid, who was old beyond her years. With her was her life angel and big sister Renee. Renee was always there to try to protect Brandi. A very big job for a young, big sister. Over the last 19 years, I have watched Brandi and Renee fight like sisters but they have also loved like sisters. Renee was the one person in Brandi’s world that she knew would be there no matter what when the dust settled.
As I said, I am one of Brandi’s mothers. I share that bond with Michelle and Gigi and probably a few others that I haven‘t met. We all know that life is sometimes hard and we face many challenges. Michelle has faced many challenges in her life and has sometimes needed help from others (as we all do sometimes) to make things work. I am so thankful that at a time when Michelle needed help, God brought me and my family into their lives. I remember standing at the bedroom door one of those first nights telling both girls that it felt like they have always been a part of my life and they were meant to be there.
Henry, my husband, became one of Brandi’s fathers along with Porky, Fred and probably a few other good men. I have heard stories of Porky and Fred and how they were good people in Brandi’s life. The other night I got to meet both of these men for the first time and I realize Brandi was very lucky to have them in her life. They told stories of the feisty Brandi that we knew and loved. As I listened to their stories, it was clear that Brandi gave them a “run for their money” just like she did Henry, but if she ever needed anything, they were all there for her and I think she new that.
Brandi loved children and shared a special bond with her youngest sister, Lisa, in our home. She took on the big sister role to Lisa that she had learned from Renee. Anne and Lisa learned several life lessons from Brandi. Some good and some bad, some joyful and some heartbreaking.
Brandi also shared a special bond with Mike, our son and her brother. This was very evident during the last week when Mike came to see her. Brandi would be mad at everyone, throwing them out of her room, but not Mike. When he came into the room, her face would light up with that big beautiful smile and she would lean forward to say “Hi” followed by “you smell good”. Mike could get her to sit up, talk, laugh and crave food. She told Mike and Kathy she wanted biscuits and gravy. It was late at night but they went and got them. She told them she wanted a big tenderloin, they went and got it. Brandi could not eat the food but it was there because Mike and Brandi loved each other. They were brother and sister and he will always be TeKalya and George’s Uncle Mike. As it should be.
Brandi’s life presented many challenges that she had to overcome. She was strong-willed and a survivor in many ways. She prided herself in working hard and taking care to see that her children had a roof over their head, clean clothes and plenty of food. She protected them from a lot of the ugliness in this world. This was sometimes an over-whelming task but she wanted to do it herself. I am proud of her. She did a good job, she was a good mother.
Brandi will continue to protect her children as their special angel. I know this because Brandi prayed with her sister Renee and others who came into her hospital room. Brandi accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior and she is now in peace. Brandi’s battle on earth is over but her song lives on in her children’s hearts and in the lives of many others.
If Brandi only knew how many lives she has touched.
During the last week, I have seen family members put the past behind them and come together to create new bonds. TeKayla and George will get to know and share family times with Aunts, Uncles and cousins they never knew. Brandi’s illness brought together the biological family she and Renee had always wanted to be a part of. Renee and Brie (their cousin) have made a commitment to make sure they see each other monthly so the six kids can get to know each other and grow up as family. Aunt Laurie flew from AZ to be here with her sister, Michelle and nieces during this tough time in their lives. That bond has been renewed and a new one created as Aunt Laurie, her daughter Brie and their family have now become an extension of our family. What a blessing!
My niece and Brandi’s cousin, Nikki, placed a Cause page on Facebook about a week ago. You can find it by going to Facebook, click “causes” and search “Brandi’s Battle”. There you’ll find that in less than a week’s time, 164 + people have joined Brandi’s battle against Cervical Cancer. Brandi may have lost this earthly battle but many have joined her in the war. Brandi’s story has touched many people and lives will be saved. What a blessing!
Brandi’s story touched the life of Officer McCarol. He had met Brandi while on duty several months ago when her car broke down. His family recently suffered a loss to this terrible disease. Officer McCarol felt a special bond with Brandi and because of that he and his wife became a part of her family. What a blessing!
Brandi has taught many people many things in her short 31 ones years. I hope her life, her challenges and her battles will be an inspiration for others to know that you don’t have to go through life alone. You are born into a family and then you decide who joins your family walk here on earth and it becomes what you make it. Bigger then that, we are all a part of God’s family if we chose. Brandi made that choice and being the loving father that He is, God accepted her with open arms and tears of joy. What a blessing!
Remember Brandi’s battle and song! Hug someone you love.
I love you Brandi 
