more than words

Today, this beautiful boy turns 20 years old.

 

I met Brandon when he was 3 and I was 8.  For years, we lived in the same neighborhood, then I baby sat him and his sister.  When I turned 18, I started working with Brandon as my full-time job.  One of the greatest gifts of my life is the countless hours I have been privileged to spend with Brandon.

Brandon is, without question, the best person I know.  Best, because there is nothing bad in him.  Brandon never intends to harm others, or hides who he is.  Brandon never judges, or gossips, or lies.  Brandon loves, constantly, with every fiber of his being.  Every day. Every minute. Brandon loves.  Wholeheartedly, unconditionally, and outwardly; Brandon shows his love all of the time.  Brandon's love is strong and joyful.  He makes people feel good, valuable, and necessary.  He does this in the way that he hugs, and laughs, and fits his head magically in the space between your neck and shoulder.

Brandon was put on this earth to teach people how to love, and he does it perfectly and beautifully.

Happy birthday, Brandon.  I love you more than words can say (which is okay, because you teach me how to love without words every day).

As human beings, our job in life is to help people realize how rare and valuable each one of us really is, that each of us has something that no one else has—or ever will have—something inside that is unique to all time. It’s our job to encourage each other to discover that uniqueness and to provide ways of developing its expression.

_{Fred Rogers}