Branden

(August 24, 1990 – January 29, 2009)

I’m 6 years old and we’re heading to the hospital with Dad to see you and Mom and I’m so excited.  I’m proud to become your big brother.

Its a few years later and you’re starting to talk and it’s so cute, so cute that I’m jealous.

You’re the Pink-Eyed Small Fry… and you hate that name.

Then you’re 6 years old and are starting to become your own little man and you stop believing every little thing I tell you.  In fact you start teaching me a thing or two.

The Simpson’s mean everything to you and you start associating everything with an episode.  And somehow it makes perfect sense.

You’re moving up to Cub Scouts and I get to give you your epaulets.  I’m so proud of you.

You start playing soccer and you’re such a pro.  I’m amazed at your skill but I don’t tell you that.

Soon you’re also beating me at every videogame.  I don’t even know what to say.  I’m still amazed.

Then you’re becoming a teenage and you definitely don’t listen to a thing I say.

We start to butt heads, but it never goes too far.  I’m secretly jealous of the man you become and yet I’m so proud of the man you’re becoming.

We go to the movies and talk and laugh.  We talk and laugh so much that we really didn’t watch the movie. 

(Especially Wild Wild West)

You become a young man.  And you’re finally as tall as me… I never thought you’d get there because to me you’re still the Pink Eye Small Fry.

We don’t seem to agree about anything, but yet I am won over by your argument.  I don’t tell you though.

And now…

You get your first car.  I tell you mine is better, but really yours is much cooler.  You always had style.

You’re getting married.  It’s such an amazing sight.  I stand by you and I’m so proud of you.  You’ve grown so fast.

Then you’re becoming a father.  I see the joy in your eyes and I see you become the man I always knew you’d be. 

Then we’re old men.  And we’re watching our kids getting married and begin their lives.  God how time flies. 

We’re on the porch and we’re laughing about all the good times and all the bad times. 

Then you’re burying me.  You shed tears, but I don’t want you to because we had all those amazing times. 

I watch over you and try to send you my love. 

But unfortunately this is not the way it went.  And I have to bury you. 

It brings me such deep sadness I can’t even say. 

All the words and thoughts I never got to say.  I hope you know that I loved you. 

That I LOVE you. 

Always have and always will.  I am so proud of the man you were and I wish I told you.  I hope you know now. 

I watched you grow from beginning to end and not once did I ever doubt the man you’d become. 

And though these times did not all happen in your life, they all happened in my heart. 

Rest Easy Brother. 

One day we’ll meet again and we’ll have that beer. 

Andrew Viarruel

February 2, 2009

Hello All... Thank you for coming to this site.  I felt I needed to post my poem and eulogy for my brother Branden.  I tried very hard to convey my feelings about him and for him and this is as close as I got.  I'm not even sure I have to right words to truly express how I feel, but this gives you a taste.  I started this website as a memorial to my lil' brother so I'll see where that takes me. 

Also, anyone who is wanted to do something in Branden's name... I would suggest making a donation to Kids Help Phone.  It is so important that these organizations exist so that they can really help these kids. 

http://www.kidshelpphone.ca/

Thank you for visiting.