Saying Goodbye to a Confused Kid with a Good Heart

best song i've ever heard about it, you never know how much just talking to someone might save them.no one person can save everyone, well any one person who still walks the earth today, but a comforting word just might save someones life, if you are there for someone and they still take their life, at least you tried, it's painful,but it's better then not trying at all. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzriEXPJ1-k

 

My brother in law took his life about 1 1/2 years ago, almost the same way with none of us really knowing how bad he was hurting inside until it was too late. He was a likeable kid with a ton of potential.God bless him, and all the others that have and still are suffering.

 

That's sad stuff, man. I don't really know what to say...

 

Not much you can say. You REALLY ARE a good bunch. Most Hot Rodders seem to be.

 

Its really sad to hear stuff like this. R.I.P. Brandon.

Ive been thinking about this post since last night. I see a few people talking about reaching out to the younger generation. The world is changing, alot different from when i grew up, and im only 31. Maybe some people should start up a H.A.M.B. Mentoring program of some kind for the younger guys that like old cars, or hot rods, but have no clue how to work on cars, a place to do it, or any idea of how to build and fix things. I know when i was young i loved old cars. But had no one to teach me anything or even anyone who liked old cars. I just started messing with cars about 3 years ago and have gone a looooonnnngggg way since! I am happyer now then i ever have been. And my life revolves around the garage, cars, and tools now. I wish i had some sort of option like that when i was young. Maybe a Mentoring Type of thing could prevent something like this in the future. At least help preserve the past I would be happy to donate my time, garage, and tools to help.


Josh

 

One of the club brothers did this a couple years ago. His home life went south and then so did he! Fuckin sucks, we tried to help, but by the time we realized what was going on it was too late. You would be surprised by what a small gesture on your part means to people. It could save someones life.

 

Well I have only read the first page of this thread, due to the fact that it hurts too deeply to go any further than that. My mother, abd 2 of my aunts have commiteted suicide. Honor his memory anyway you possibly can in your own way. To others who read this don't ever be afraid to ask the question to others "are you thinking of harming yourself". I have had 2 Soldiers that have either tried or thought about suicide, it's no joke and it happens more than it should. My condolences to you, your friends and his family,
TrailorPark

 

It's tuff, back when my son was in Junior high there was a boy who played baseball with my son, I hadn't seen him for several weeks and asked him if he had gone somewhere over the summer, he said no his Dad had taken his own live, I felt so bad for him, his home life wasn't that good to start with, I tried to include him in some of the stuff me and my son were doing but I guess the age difference was a little great, I was 50 at the time his Dad was 29. I think he has turned out OK. I go back to memories of my Dad all the time and things he taught me that I'm sure he wasn't even aware of, just hope it's the same for my son. We will pray for you and his family.

 

Gigantor,
I've been thinking about your post since the first day you posted it. It's really hard to even think about this stuff. I offer my condolences to Brandons family, to you, the 'old brothers' and everyone else that knew him. Know that when I wake my '53 Coronet from her slumber and fire up that flathead 6 I will think of Brandon.
Please, take care and if you need to talk about anything we are ALL here for you, and the others that have been affected by this thing. Just ask. We'll respond.

Scott

 

I am sorry to hear of Brandon's death. It's always sad to lose anyone, under any circumstances, but to have this young man take his own life is even sadder. Judging from your description it seems that he had a "support system", but we do not know, and likely never will know, what his life was like when looking deeper. Obviously, he was very troubled in some major way. At least now the weight he carried has ended and if we believe our religious teachings, he is at peace.
I'm may not be a very good Christian, but I'm a lot better person than I used to be.

 

Hey Man, thanks. I actually feel pretty good all things considered. What really brought it all home and patched an angry hole in my heart was the service that was held on Friday. They separated family and friends, and I was quite shocked to see over 200 people (mostly kids) in the friends section. The kid had more people in his corner than I think he knew. Information came to light that Brandon had told some of his "friends" that he was having suicidal thoughts. That made me angry. Sure, he might have still done the deed, but it seems to me that by telling people, he was making some small effort to reach out for help. I can only assume that the people he did tell will go to their graves with a guilty conscience.
But like I said, there was a bright side. Of those 200 plus people there, a lot of them were young men Brandon's age, typical insecure teenagers throwing up a tough guy attitude, lots of piercings and black sweatshirts and pants down around their asses. It was somewhat gratifying for me to see tears streaming down their faces. That illustrated to me that these kids finally "got it", that it's no laughing matter, and be tough as you want, it's nothing to joke about or brush off. I can take some small satisfaction that perhaps Brandon's death influenced the thinking of many others who have been, are, and will be in his shoes some day.
Thanks for the kind words, everyone.

 

gods speed

 

Stories like this always make me sad. Such a bright light dulled by things in his life only he knows about. Sometimes people in a person's life make it hard to deal and eventually it seems like everyone is against you. My prayers go out to the ones who truly loved him.