Mmorial Service - Tuesday Night
Friends -
For those of you able to attend the memorial service in Durham, the Lewis family sends our gratitude and thanks. Over 250 people signed the register. We weren't sure of how many would or could attend. We are so pleased that you came out. All of you are a piece of BJ. You were a part of his life. We really enjoyed those who shared a bit about Brandon. We will eternally hope that you keep him in your hearts and minds through the years.
My sage advise I again share with you. Carpe diem - Seize the day! Don't put off what you can do today. Hug your family and tell them how much you care. Take that vacation or trip, audition for that play, take up the instrument you always thought of. Call an old friend you haven't seen for a long time. Whatever it is for you....do it sooner than later.
Kids, your parents and family love you so much. Do what they tell you and what is expected of you. You're not being punished, you're being cared for and loved and protected. That's what you want from your parents. Make good decisions.....be safe. Care for one another.
Brandon is in the arms of God. And he is watching down upon us all. May God bless you!
Lewis family
For those of you able to attend the memorial service in Durham, the Lewis family sends our gratitude and thanks. Over 250 people signed the register. We weren't sure of how many would or could attend. We are so pleased that you came out. All of you are a piece of BJ. You were a part of his life. We really enjoyed those who shared a bit about Brandon. We will eternally hope that you keep him in your hearts and minds through the years.
My sage advise I again share with you. Carpe diem - Seize the day! Don't put off what you can do today. Hug your family and tell them how much you care. Take that vacation or trip, audition for that play, take up the instrument you always thought of. Call an old friend you haven't seen for a long time. Whatever it is for you....do it sooner than later.
Kids, your parents and family love you so much. Do what they tell you and what is expected of you. You're not being punished, you're being cared for and loved and protected. That's what you want from your parents. Make good decisions.....be safe. Care for one another.
Brandon is in the arms of God. And he is watching down upon us all. May God bless you!
Lewis family
posted by Update Center at
9:05 PM
10 Comments:
my family and i are praying we know he is making everyone smile in heaven
love jake and family
By
Anonymous, at 9:28 PM
"The true test of a man's character is what it takes to stop him." These words were framed and hung above the chalkboard in one of my classrooms in college. I have thought of these words often over the past 25 years.
Most recently, I thought of these words again this past spring when I heard that Brandon hit walk-off home runs in back-to-back games for his AAA baseball team, because a young man of less character would not have even been on that team. What most people who heard tonight the story of Brandon's heroics with these two game winning home runs probably do not know is that Brandon was disappointed that he was not drafted into the Major League in the spring, even though he played "up" with the Juniors (13-14 year olds) last fall on the "big" baseball field (big means 90 foot base paths and 60'6" pitching mound: the size field the professionals play on) when he was only 11 years old.
Brandon was disappointed because as a 12 year old in the AAA division, he was not allowed to pitch. For a 12 year old who had just finished playing on the big field with 13 and 14 year olds, and had even pitched from the Professional League distance, you can imagine not being drafted into the Major League (Little League Majors) and not getting to pitch would be very disappointing.
Brandon could have quit Little League baseball. He could have said, "this is silly for me to be playing AAA and not pitching." But he didn't. Marty encouraged him to do the best he could to help his team. Even though he couldn't pitch, he could still do his best. His best in those two games was something his team mates will likely think and talk about for years to come. No one has done that before in SDLL at the AAA level that I am aware of.
"The true test of a man's character is what it takes to stop him." Brandon was not selected for a Majors team during his last year of eligibility on the smaller field. Disappointed that he wouldn't be able to pitch, he dedicated himself to do his best to help his team, and in doing so earned a spot in the hearts of his team mates (does anyone who heard Keenan tonight describe that game winning walk-off home run think Keenan will soon forget that moment?).
"The true test of a man's character is what it takes to stop him." Having been passed over for a spot on a Majors team during last season's draft, Brandon could have said, "that was fun, but I'm finished with baseball now." Instead, as a 12 year old he once again joined the Juniors on the big field for fall ball this year. He expressed his desire to pitch this season and so spent time with Coach Albert (an assistant coach for the Green Geckos, Joshua is a Duke Junior who played first base and pitcher in High School and during his freshman year at Duke) learning proper pitching technique. I understand he asked his dad on a daily basis to practice with him. He was usually at the field before I arrived (and that's hard to do!), practicing with his dad.
"The true test of a man's character is what it takes to stop him." The thing I think I love most about coaching baseball is the fact that life lessons are a big part of what is learned on the ballfield. Brandon did not quit. He did not give up on his dream of pitching. This tragedy took Brandon from us less than one week before he was scheduled to take the mound for his first time as a Green Gecko. But it took something this terrible to stop him from pitching, because he was a young man of strong character who would not quit when things didn't go his way.
Keenan, and other Cardinal team mates, in years to come when you think back fondly of Brandon's home runs in those back-to-back games, I hope you will remember that he chose to play baseball instead of quitting when he was not chosen for a Majors team, because he was not a quitter. I hope his heroics of staying in the game instead of quitting when he didn’t get his way stand out in your mind and heart and serve as an example for you of what it means to have character.
Marty & Paula, you can be proud of the son you raised. He obviously had good character, because he made the best of a bad situation and did not quit or give up. Our prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Coach Tim
By
Anonymous, at 11:27 PM
I am very glab i got to see him in peace one last time. It was very hard on me due to my father left over a month ago and i no longer have a fatherly figure to talk to or look up to. I know Brandons in a better place now but he's away from all of us. The service touch me and I was able to cry with all my friends and not by myself as usual. I usually dont like to cry with my mom or brother because the dont know how much i turely loved Brandona dn why did got have to snatch him away from all of us.
Signed A friend of Brandon Jacob Lewis,
Rachel Grace Lewis
By
Anonymous, at 10:28 AM
Dear Lewis family: We can't express how deeply sorry we are about BJ. You are in our prayers and we hope you can find comfort on each other during this very difficult time.
You are very special to all of us; we love you as a family. You once opened your hearts and home to us and for that we are eternally thankful. We hope that regardless of the great distance that separates us, you know that we are here for you.
With much love
Katty and the Pujado family
By
Anonymous, at 12:27 PM
Your words of advice are true. This has taught me to seize the moment and to take initiative. Though also to be safe while doing this.
By
Anonymous, at 2:09 PM
The words of advise you speak are true.
This taught me to seize the moment and to go for what I want in life,(take initiative).
Though to be safe on the journey.
By
Anonymous, at 2:27 PM
Marty, Paula and family
I just wanted to thank you for allowing me to be a part of the family for the last 15 years since Bruce and I got divorced. I have enjoyed watching the kids grow and will miss Brandon very much. I am so sorry for your loss and just wanted you to know how much I care.
By
Anonymous, at 12:59 PM
Brandon really was a great person. and i am not just saying that because of the situation. I will always remember when he first moved here to Durham and was in Mrs.Carmon's 2nd grade class. Him and I had the best time together that year. And our friendship never stopped. Race, Background, or the other people that you hung around didn't matter to Brandon. He saw YOU and excepted you as you were. That why it was always so easy to except him. I love Branddon with all my heart and he will always have a place there. And for his family, Stay Strong, trouble won't last always.
Love,
Brittany Salaam
By
Anonymous, at 9:45 AM
“I've Learned That People Will Forget What You Said, People Will Forget What You Did, But People Will Never Forget How You Made Them Feel.”
Brandon you will be missed and hope you know the deep impact you had on everyones life while you were here and now that you are gone it will never be forgotten.
By
Anonymous, at 12:26 PM
we miss brandon every day at baseball practices and a really funny kid. we will miss him forever and always.
charlie passannante
green geckos
By
Anonymous, at 11:16 AM
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