Kindred souls need few words of communication. Brendan always listened, but rarely spoke a word during class. His quiet smile emanated from the back of the room and you just sensed his interest. A lover of literature, history, poetry and life, Brendan quietly absorbed all that the classroom had to offer. As the year progressed, he felt the need to communicate on a more personal level. Frequently, at the end of the teaching period, he would approach me to discuss some aspect of the day’s lesson that he found interesting. He seemed particularly fond of the American Revolution and he was fascinated by our study of Boston, Lexington and Concord. Our readings of Paul Revere’s Ride, The Concord Hymn and Johnny Tremain were right up his alley.
While visiting his brother in college, Brendan asked his parents to make a stop at Lexington and Concord. He took a number of wonderful photographs and used them to construct a beautiful project illustrating Ralph Waldo Emerson’s poem. It was magnificent! He truly understood what the poet meant by “the shot that was heard around the world”. To this day, I use this project as part of my teaching lesson. Brendan, like so many others, moved quickly through the ranks of middle school and proceeded on to pursue his dreams in high school. Our parting handshake was brief, but his radiant smile and soft-spoken voice still echo in the recesses of my mind. It was with great sadness that I read in the news of a freak auto accident that took Brendan’s life.
While on a school trip exploring the country he loved so much, the vehicle accidentally overturned. This unfortunate tragedy took Brendan’s life and the life of the driver. The procession at Brendan’s funeral was incredibly long. He had obviously touched many people in his brief stay on earth. I shared a few words of comfort with the members of the family and I gave Brendan’s mother a copy of a poem I had written in his memory. I will never hear Emerson’s poem again without seeing Brendan’s face in my mind’s eye.
Poem for Brendan
Why does the day rejoice
When we are so distraught
Life, as we’ve known it, will never be the same.
And yet, the skies are blue, the flowers bloom.
The soft morning dew clings gently to the green grass.
Why does the day rejoice in the midst of our grieving?
His young life was snatched away much too soon.
His gentle smile, his quiet humor, his life was in full bloom.
Can one so loved upon God’s good earth
Be needed in heaven so soon?
Why does the day rejoice when we are overcome with sadness?
Perhaps it is God’s way of showing us
That Brendan is safe and secure in the bosom of His bountiful love.
It hurts us because we miss him.
But earth could no longer keep its fragile grip upon this gentle soul.
Why does the Earth rejoice when we are drenched in tears of sorrow?
The sun shines warmly, reminding us of Brendan’s countenance.
The sky watches over us with Brendan’s observant and thoughtful care.
And the flowers laugh gently.
Reminding us of a young man so filled with joy.
Why does the day rejoice and why does the heaven shine so bright?
Is it because Brendan’s journey has just begun?
Our Lord has chosen wisely, for he has taken from us the very best.
Oh, Brendan, we miss you so much
Please smile on us to evaporate our tears
Please laugh with us as the flowers bloom
Look gently upon us with your tender eyes
Remind us that your journey has taken you into God’s heavenly care.
And comfort us and remind us.
So we will understand.
Why the heavens rejoice
Addendum: The Book of Wisdom tells us that “Length of days is not what makes age honorable, nor number of years, the true measure of life.”
I wholeheartedly agree with this painful truth. Having Brendan as a student was truly an honor for me. I knew from the moment he approached me in the classroom that we would enjoy our conversations together. His keen mind, generous heart, and soaring soul enriched the lives of all he encountered. I will end with an excerpt of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s poem The Concord Hymn, a poem that Brendan loved so much.
“On this green bank, by this soft stream
We set today a votive stone;
That memory may their deed redeem,
When, like our sires, our sons are gone.
Spirit, that made those heroes dare
To die and leave their children free,
Bid Time and Nature gently spare
The shaft we raise to them and thee.”
God bless you and keep you, Brendan.
