Brandon's Tree

Hello Everyone,

God's Blessings to all of you. It's been six months since Brandon is gone. Some of you knew that my father in Philippines died too on August 31, 2008. No, I did not go home to Philippines, I cannot go through another funeral. It's been a lot of pain lately. He took good care of Brandon when he was three years old. Now they are together in heaven.

Life here at home is very difficult. We miss Brandon very much more each day. It never get easy. We wish we could give him hugs and talk to him again.. but we know that Brandon is with our Lord Jesus Christ and he is very happy there. Brandon is in a better place now.

We believe he is our angel and watch me and Eric always.

We know that God has a plan for all of us. Jeremiah 29:11....but it still hurts a lot.

Wednesday October 8, 2008 there was a ceremony.. a White Dogwood Tree was planted in front of the main office of Franklin High School in honor of Brandon. We are very proud of him and well-honored for the Tribute that the students did, and all the efforts of the Faculty of Franklin High School. Here is a picture of the tree and the plaque.

I pray all of you are well. We thank you for all your love and support during this very difficult time. We pray for God's peace and understanding.

Many Blessings to all of you.

Love,

Jessie

Note: To view larger picture of tree you may place cursor over it and left click, then hit return arrow to go back to blog. aw

Brandon's Headstone

A beautiful memorial to Brandon is now at his grave site.
Rest in peace young friend.

The cemetery is All Saints.. 84 Bond Ave Reisterstown, MD .. also called St. Luke's.
Click for Map

Article From Owings Mills Times

Please scroll down to bottom of this page to see large version of this article written by Bryna Zumer on May 8th, 2008

Eric, Jessie, and Brandon

Jessie sent this beautiful picture of the family together in front of the church altar just before Christmas. Also, please see the wonderful shot of Brandon and his grandmother Vera on their last Christmas Day.. on the right.

-The following is a particularly sensitive and moving memorial to Brandon by a school friend-
I just met Brandon this year but I wish I knew him longer. He is such a great person. Every time I see Mrs. Peele my throat gets dry because I CANNOT imagine how it must feel without Brandon. Sometime when I sit in English class I think about him, look at his desk, and imagine him still sitting there and doing his work. And sometimes I stop by Brandon's shrine at my school and just think.

-Nataliya Mesropov

Inspirational Story

Amber has left a message in the comments section that makes note of another inspirational story. It is about an exceptional little girl with a large loving family who got sick and would not give up.. just as Brandon refused to give up.
The little girl's name was Sadako Sasaki.

Here is Amber's note:

Jessie and Eric,
Here is the story of the paper cranes. I hope you enjoy!

The Sadako Story
The paper crane has become an international symbol of peace in recent years as a result of it's connection to the story of a young Japanese girl named Sadako Sasaki born in 1943. Sadako was two years old when the atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan on August 6, 1945. As she grew up, Sadako was a strong, courageous and athletic girl. In 1955, at age 11, while practicing for a big race, she became dizzy and fell to the ground. Sadako was diagnosed with Leukemia, "the atom bomb" disease.
Sadako's best friend told her of an old Japanese legend which said that anyone who folds a thousand paper cranes would be granted a wish. Sadako hoped that the gods would grant her a wish to get well so that she could run again. She started to work on the paper cranes and completed over 1000 before dying on October 25, 1955 at the age of twelve.

The point is that she never gave up. She continued to make paper cranes until she died.
Inspired by her courage and strength, Sadako's friends and classmates put together a book of her letters and published it. They began to dream of building a monument to Sadako and all of the children killed by the atom bomb. Young people all over Japan helped collect money for the project.

Amber
June 5, 2008

Learn more about Sadako:
Hiroshima Museum
Sadako's Story
Wiki Article

Vera Peele Funeral Arrangements

Dear Everyone,

Here is my mother-in-law's Funeral arrangements:

May 4, 2008- Sunday at 2 to 4 pm..

Viewing at Singleton Funeral Home

1 Second Avenue S. W. at Crain Highway, Glen Burnie 21061
410-766-7070

May 6, 2008--Tuesday at 11 A.M. at

John Wesley United Methodist Church

6922 North Richie Highway, Glen Burnie
410-766-6981

After the church service is the final resting place at

Cedar Hill Cemetery

5829 Ritchie Highway

Baltimore, Md. 21225

410-789-0150

Thank You and God Bless.

Jessie

From Jessie: Thank You/Eric's Mom

Hello Everyone,

It's been a month I did not send emails.

Today is one month since Brandon's passed away. I miss him very much.

Thank you for all your love and support during this very difficult time.

We appreciate all your help and everything that you did. God Bless you all.

We go to his grave everyday and I talk to him all the time.

YESTERDAY, Eric's mom passed away. She was not feeling good after Brandon's passed away and Monday she was admitted in the hospital for observation, her heart beat was irregular. Tuesday morning her heart stopped. She was in ICU until 6 am yesterday she was gone. It's been very hard for all of us.. mostly Eric.... we are planning for another funeral again.

My brother-in-law said she grieve so much for Brandon's death and she was talking to Brandon's pictures in her room. She is at peace now. She is 83 years old.

Sunday was Brandon's 16th Birthday.. we went to attend the Dr. Carson Scholarship.

I was very sad.. only Brandon is missing, Dr. Carson come to our table and give us a hug and he signed his book in Memory of Brandon. He acknowledged Brandon as a missing scholar for that evening and he said- today is his Birthday but he passed away last month, and he said some good memory about Brandon. We were asked to stand up and everyone applauded

us in Brandon's memory.. I was a mess crying... I really miss my Brandon. It was a very moving experience. I wish Brandon was there.. I could see him walking on the stage.

This is all for now. Take care.. I will email the funeral arrangement for Eric's mom when I get the information.

Please pray for us.. mostly for Eric. Thank you..

Love,

Jessie