Brandon's Story
Brandon and Ryan were as close as any brothers, I would suppose. Before Brandon was born I promised Ryan "the baby" would sleep in his room with him. Ryan was constantly coming into our bedroom at night with a pillow and teddy bear, placing himself between me and the bathroom. He told me he didn't want to sleep by himself, so I agreed to let "the baby" sleep with him in just a few weeks.
I placed Brandon in a cradle beside my bed for the first 2-3 nights after we came home from the hospital. One day Ryan looked at me and said, "I thought the baby was going to sleep in my room!" The crib was up, but I hadn't placed Brandon in it yet. I explained that Brandon would sleep with him that night. The boys were rarely separated after that.
When Laura was born, Brandon was her "helper" and protector. Brandon was the one who always loved to buy something for others. When we went somewhere during school hours, he made sure to get something for Ryan if I bought him anything. I worked evening shift and many days I would lie down after getting Ryan on the bus. Brandon was my snuggler & frequently took a nap with me. It was a very special time for us.
There were many times in Sept. ('07) after he became sick, that Brandon asked me, “Will you lie down with me?” Mike would help me position Brandon comfortably on his side. Just like many times in the past, I snuggled up with my boy, savoring this moment. Brandon wrapped his arms around me, kissed me over and over, softly saying, “I love you mom.” We talked quietly about different things, but mostly the important things. We told each other how much we loved each other.
I placed Brandon in a cradle beside my bed for the first 2-3 nights after we came home from the hospital. One day Ryan looked at me and said, "I thought the baby was going to sleep in my room!" The crib was up, but I hadn't placed Brandon in it yet. I explained that Brandon would sleep with him that night. The boys were rarely separated after that.
When Laura was born, Brandon was her "helper" and protector. Brandon was the one who always loved to buy something for others. When we went somewhere during school hours, he made sure to get something for Ryan if I bought him anything. I worked evening shift and many days I would lie down after getting Ryan on the bus. Brandon was my snuggler & frequently took a nap with me. It was a very special time for us.
There were many times in Sept. ('07) after he became sick, that Brandon asked me, “Will you lie down with me?” Mike would help me position Brandon comfortably on his side. Just like many times in the past, I snuggled up with my boy, savoring this moment. Brandon wrapped his arms around me, kissed me over and over, softly saying, “I love you mom.” We talked quietly about different things, but mostly the important things. We told each other how much we loved each other.