Do You Realize?: In Memory of Brandon Wolfe

Redford High School "The Family Team," Detroit, Mi.
Championship Photo, University of Detroit
Brandon stands in the middle, with his arms crossed

Do You Realize - Oh - Oh - Oh
Do You Realize - that everyone you know
Someday will die -
Flaming Lips - "Do You Realize?"

I woke up this morning and NYC was rainy and nasty. I thought to myself, "Wow, if only this were Saturday, I could stay in bed all day and listen to the rain come down."

Unfortunately for me, it was Friday, and no matter how I cut it, I had to get out of bed and go to work. I finally dragged myself up, fed the cat, brewed the coffee, wrestled with the broken shower, splashed on the makeup, and sat on the bed for five minutes when the phone rang. It was my mother. It's never a good sign when your mother calls before 9:00 in the morning. This time was no exception.

Unfortunately, the news was that my foster brother, Brandon, all of 20 years old, had died the night before due to the flu coupled with his existent asthma. There is no autopsy yet, but that's what my mom says happened.

Brandon and one of his brothers and two of his sisters came to live with my mom and dad when Brandon was about 10 years old. He and his brother grew up to be giants, Brandon at 6' 7", his brother a little shorter. He played high school basketball at Redford High School in Detroit, and went on to community college basketball before heading to college ball. Unfortunately, his time came much too soon, and now this young man, who struggled through so many troubles in his short life, is gone.

It just doesn't make any sense.

I was reading Andrew Sullivan, and he had posted a video of the Flaming Lips' "Do You Realize."

Do You Realize - that you have the most beautiful face
Do You Realize - we're floating in space -
Do You Realize - that happiness makes you cry
Do You Realize - that everyone you know someday will die
And instead of saying all of your goodbyes - let them know
You realize that life goes fast
It's hard to make the good things last
You realize the sun doesn't go down
It's just an illusion caused by the world spinning round
Do You Realize - Oh - Oh - Oh
Do You Realize - that everyone you know
Someday will die -
And instead of saying all of your goodbyes - let them know
You realize that life goes fast
It's hard to make the good things last
You realize the sun doesn't go down
It's just an illusion caused by the world spinning round
Do You Realize - that you have the most beautiful face
Do You Realize

Unfortunately, I have been all too aware lately that someday everyone I know will die. Sometimes they die too young. Like Brandon.

Brandon would laugh at the Flaming Lips. They are certainly not his kind of music. Nonetheless, here's Brandon's beautiful face. Rest in peace, Brandon. Your struggle is over.