Brandon’s Mom’s Journal  July 18 

In the three weeks since Brandon left us, we’ve had the glad chance to hear from many people what he (and later, his journey) meant to them.  How special it is for those of us  left behind to open each card and learn of kindnesses he’d done that we knew nothing of...how heartening it is to know that his love of life had an impact on others.

We were so very touched by the number of people who were able to attend his memorial service and reception, and felt so good about the smiles and laughter we saw and heard as people reminisced about our young man.  We know there were others who wanted to come, but had out-of-town commitments during that holiday week.  Brandon would have been thrilled to know that folks were off to Hawaii or Alaska (or pretty much anywhere else!) and would have wanted them to enjoy every moment they were away.  For those who missed the service, but would like a chance to see some of it, both Rev. Seargeant’s remarks and the family DVD now are posted on Brandon’s website: www.brandonhampson.com.

We’re busily getting out thank-you notes, but still need to extend our overwhelming appreciation en masse to those who’ve helped our family through these intense times, as well as those who sent flowers or food or who’ve made contributions in Brandon’s name.  To date, nearly $3000 has been deposited into the Brea Olinda High School “Brandon Hampson Marching Band Fund,” three children in foreign countries born with cleft lips or palates have been given new smiles through Smile Train, a llama, two sheep, two goats, two flocks of chicks, ducks and goslings and a beehive have gone to help people in developing countries help themselves through Heifer Project International, and eight donations have been made to the American Brain Tumor Association.  How surprised and proud Brandon would be about that!

*****

So hard to believe sometimes, but a year ago this week Brandon was in Colorado, climbing mountains with the gang from SuperCamp.  When we think of him these days, we’d like to believe he’s looking in on some of his friends who’ve returned there this year, recalling the good times...and breaking into one of his trademark smiles.

Till there’s more to share...

Terri/Teresa

Brandon’s Mom’s Journal   July 29

This week marks a month since Brandon left us, and as our hours resume a sense of normalcy, we begin to have some hint of how to face the world as four. 

Because it’s the right thing to do, we laugh, reminisce and go out.  We feel comforted by the presence of friends, and function best when life brings us something that takes thought and needs doing right now.  When it doesn’t, we work on scanning old photos (more precious now than ever), retrieving files from computers, collecting memories and generally trying to preserve all that we can before time erases more than it already has.       

Separately and together, we feel sad and sometimes angry, but an aching emptiness is our most common companion.  We worry about and try hard to take care of each other.  Beth and Amy and Mom can be found most mornings at 24-Hour Fitness, a new routine that helps raise spirits and secure sleep...not to mention firm a few muscles.  We have dinner on the patio, go out for coffee, try new recipes, rent past seasons of The West Wing and otherwise begin to set down new patterns and create new memories.  What at first felt so terribly strange very slowly begins to be less so, and this...we guess...is good. 

Our habits shift, from what we read (more philosophy, metaphysics, meaning of life and how to find it sorts of things) to how we spend Sunday mornings (most likely in the company of Brandon’s friend, our local pastor, Matt).  We find ourselves keenly  disinterested in much of what passes as news or popular entertainment, and have little patience for the squabbling so much of the world seems engaged in.  Change suddenly makes us uncomfortable, particularly when it takes away people or places that had special meaning to Brandon.  We try to find peace in what we do and how we do it, and usually seem to be okay.  In an effort to keep it so, we’ve also found a therapist, and visited her for the first time yesterday. 

Beth and Amy registered for their graduate program fall classes this week, and are glad to have school to look forward to.  Beth will study college administration at Azusa Pacific, and work part time on campus as well.  Amy will study communication at Cal State Fullerton, and just started looking for a part-time job in that or the event-planning field.  Mom is reading books and talking to folks, trying to figure out what she should do with her life.  She hasn’t had any startling revelations yet, but maybe tomorrow or Monday...                    

It’s a strange new world we’re passing through, and though there now seem to be just four of us, Brandon in many ways remains...and we intend to work hard to ensure that it’s always so.  Our trove of framed photographs gradually increases, his memory always is in our hearts, and his name often is on our lips.  We strive to honor his life, and invest what time we have in things that would make him still proud to be part of us. 

Terri/Teresa