Special Smiles From Our
Our Shining Star

Memories Of Brandon From Aunt Kerri

Brandon had a smile that could light up the world and a grin that made the devil jealous.  He always tried to make others laugh and smile and he always hurt when someone was sad or angry.  He was filled with so much love and energy it it radiated to everyone he ever met.  

At such a young age, family was so important to him and I know he would have left every toy he owned behind at the change to see one of his cousins or aunts.  He was such a secure child and knew without a doubt how very much he was loved by everyone (we know that because he told us!  He would ask “Kerri, why do you love me so much?” or when I’d tell him I loved him he’d say “I know, I know, you tell me 50 times!”) 

There are so many memories and moments I could share, it’s impossible to choose just one.  I will hold every memory in my heart forever.  All the memories from his birth to our trip to Paris, to his school concert to his trips to see me in Orlando—not one will be forgotten.

 Love you, baby boy!

 Kerri

Brandon was like a twinkling star.

He brought so much happiness to everyone he came into contact with.  I can remember so many times he had me on the floor laughing so hard.

I remember the last time I babysat him (Thursday, January 31st, 2002.)  I went for a walk with him while he was on his bike.  We went through a trail--he wanted to show me his hiding spot.

Brandon was trucking along on his bike while I was trying to keep up, walking with dress shoes on.  He made it back to the house and back to me again two times--then asked (with a smile) "What's taking you so long?"

Brandon was not only my nephew, but my friend.  Words can and will never be able to express how much he touched my heart and how much I love him.

Brandon is now not only a twinkling star in my eyes, but now a big, bright, beautiful twinkling star up in the sky.

Now he can protect and watch over the world.

Love,

Dear Uncle Brandon,

Tough, if you can call me Uncle Bobby then I can call you Uncle Brandon! See I’m still mean old Uncle Bobby! Boy do I miss you! It has taken me a long time to write to you because the pain of you’re leaving is still pretty strong. I remember seeing you for the last time the day before you left us, I was fixing some things around the house for your Mom & Dad and you were inside with Aunt Kim and you were playing with your Hot Wheels track and watching the cars go round and round and round, and then you had enough and turned it off and then said “what do you want to do now Aunt Kim! That was the way you always were, play hard and then move on to something else, all the while trying to find out what someone else wanted to do first! I left the house a little while later as you were riding your bike and making Aunt Kim chase you, never in my wildest imagination did I think that would be the last time I would see you here on this earth.

To this day I still ask WHY?????? Why did Brandon have to leave us, why couldn’t he have stayed and played with Jakey some more, you were by far his best friend, his idol and his teacher. He still remembers all the things you taught him (WILD & CRAZY) and he practices often, you would be so proud of him. I know he talks about you and to you often, I only wish I had his innocence and insight so that I could talk to you the way he does. I know that you talk to me daily and you show yourself to me every day, while I’m working I always see at least one Cardinal and I always smile and say “Hi, Uncle Brandon are you watching over me today and keeping me safe? I know the answer is yes and it warms my heart and soul. I can’t wait to see you again in heaven, but for now I have to settle for the signs that you send me!

I haven’t been able to write to you because I have been sooo busy at work, or at least that is what I keep telling myself. I think I just didn’t want to admit that you are really gone, I figured if I didn’t admit it then it wasn’t really true! But I guess it is time for old Uncle Bobby to actually grow up and face facts, you had a very special mission to accomplish for God and I am so proud of you. You were such an innocent and special person that God just couldn’t leave you here on earth when that infectious smile and precocious demeanor were needed in so many other places than just here. I just wish with all my heart that you didn’t have to go!

There are so many things I remember about you that I don’t know where to start. I remember the year you were born, I was living in Virginia at the time and happened to be in South Florida on a business trip and then I was going to Daytona for the races. The meeting that I had to be at ended early in the afternoon and I remember getting in the rental car and driving to Daytona via Tallahassee. You were my first nephew and as long as I was in the state I knew I just had to come and meet you!

I remember how mad you used to make me. You knew exactly what would set me off and you made sure you pushed every button until you got liftoff and then I would yell and scream like only Uncle Bobby can, and then you would do or say something that would always make me smile, and I would try to hide it from you. But, you would always catch me and make some kind of wisecrack. You always knew how to make me soften up and give in to what you wanted without me even realizing that I was giving in! Boy, do I miss that too!

I also remember that every time I saw you and one of us was leaving that we always said “I love you” and every day I just hope and pray that you knew I really meant it. That has become a part of my everyday life now, letting the people that I love know that I love them because you have shown me that we have to love one another every day like there might not be a tomorrow and not to get hung up on the little things.

I will love you forever and think of you everyday 
until we see each other again in heaven!

A Tribute to Brandon 
From His School
The Trail Blazer - February 19, 2002
Written by his teacher
Ginny Randolph

We dedicate this issue of DeSoto Trail’s Trail Blazer to the memory of Brandon Moeller, the son of Richard and Cheryl Moeller.  Brandon passed away on Friday, February 1, 2002.  He was a first grader in Mrs. Randolph’s class.  He was six years old and exactly one week shy of his seventh birthday.

Brandon loved his family.  This was evident in what he said verbally and in the stories he wrote in his draft book.  He loved his Mom and was especially found of showing her off when she volunteered in our classroom.  He would say, “My Mom is beautiful!”  He loved his Dad.  In one of his stories he wrote, “My Dad is nice and he has a lot of friends because he understands them.”

Brandon was a beautiful child inside and out and he won the heart of everyone he met.  He had big brown eyes and the longest lashes you’ve ever seen.  He knew how to bat those eyes of his and use them to his full advantage.  His huge smile would warm your heart.

Brandon left the world better than he found it because he touched so many souls.  He was completely open with sharing his feelings and giving you compliments.  He would run up to you and give you a great big bear hug, look at you with his big brown eyes and say, “I love you.  You’re the best!”  He did this daily and often throughout the day.  

The world would be a better place if we all did the same.

When you saw Brandon, he usually had a big smile on his face.  He loved to laugh and make others laugh.  He had this outgoing personality that would make a stranger an instant friend.  While at recess, friends from all classes would flock to him.  With anything Brandon did, he gave it his all.

Losing Brandon has touched our whole community and beyond.  We who knew him personally feel blessed and honored with that privilege.  Brandon left us with so many happy memories and we will always remember him.

His first grade classmates have shared the following as things they loved to do with Brandon.  These are some of the most cherished and happy times they will always keep in their hearts.

We liked to run with Brandon on the playground, play with him at centers, paint with him, build Lego ships with him, talk and laugh with him, play baseball with him, climb the monkey bars with him, play tag with him, get food orders from Mrs. Randolph because he was a great waiter, play flag football with him, play soccer with him, spin on the swing with him, put puzzles together with him, do “Show and Tell” with him, play basketball with him, look at Pokemon and Digimon cards with him, play wolf with him, read books with him, do Big Buddies/Little Buddies with him, got to Special Area with him, go on our first grade “Cruise to Mexico” with him, perform in our “First Grade Circus” with him. . .”