Sunday, February 5, 2012

Today is/was superbowl sunday. I am sure Brien was rooting and cheering and enjoying himself with the best seat in the house.

I had this great blog post in mind today but I could find the pictures to go with it and now I am tired and have a headache so.. I am going to keep this one short and sweet.

I know Brien would have enjoyed watching the game, playing a little football in the streets and eating tons of food. I am sure that is what he hoped all of you did. This picture was taken at my Nana's house in Yucca Valley. We played a lot of football in her backyard. Along with shooting guns, feeding the bird and coyotes, watching movies and playing with her tortoises. Who knows Brien and Nana are prolly up in heaven right now doing all those things together. Happy Superbowl Sunday folks. May you remember that no matter the score remember to have fun.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

More birthday wishes

Well after I posted the virtual birthday card for Brien.. even more people wanted to say something. Sorry again if I forgot yours.

happy birthday brien i miss you dude from Joe

Miss you Brien. Happy Heavenly B'day! Love you, Nana Rose

We miss you Brien on your 25th Birthday! Love Uncle David

 caught myself remembering the last tournament he was in. He was on my team, and I think we won. A lovely memory of him and I feel very blessed to have it. Happy Birthday Brien! ♥ Marie

I know there was a few more people who wished him a happy birthday, Dorothy, Ms Yu,  Tammi, Michelle, and his best bud Dom.

Thank you all again for your wonderfully kind words and thoughts. I know that somehow Brien reads this blog and says thank you for all the great birthday wishes.

I went and saw him today. It was nice just me and him. It was quiet and calm and quite peaceful. And a tad bit chilly. I stayed until they closed the gates.



I often catch myself wondering what Brien would be like. Where his life would have lead to. If he would have gotten the same teachers in high school his siblings got? Would he have a Kurt like impression on Ms Yu? Or would he have tested the waters with Ms Plummer? Where would he have gone after high school. College? Straight to a career? Some how I know two things for certain he would have done. First no matter where his life would have taken him he would have been somehow involved in sports. I can see him as a ESPN announcer. Or working for the Clippers or Cowboys. The second thing for sure is he would have  been absolutely in love with his niece, Madison. He would have just as much energy as her. I can almost see both their big blue eyes sparkling with laughter. I can almost see them playing together. Sometimes when I look at Maddie I can see a little bit of Brien in her. In a look or her mischievous smile.
Its hard not to think of all the what-ifs. But I guess we will never know what could have been.

***Dont forget to share a story that you may have of Brien***

Friday, February 3, 2012

Happy Birthday Brien Andrew!

Today is Brien's 25th birthday..

On my facebook page I ask if anyone want to wish Brien a Happy Birthday. I got quite a few responses.

Here are some of the happy birthdays.

Happy birthday Brien! I wish I had the honor to meet you, but I got to meet the people most like you and I'm so grateful for that. ♥ Love Natalie

‎25 years ago today I gave birth to my son, Brien Andrew. He brought so much joy and laughter to our family. I am blessed that I had 14 wonderful years with him before he went home to Jesus. He still lives in my heart and in the heart of all my children, my husband and all who knew him. I will always cherish the years I had with him and I so look forward to seeing him again one day in heaven. Thank you Jesus for your peace and keeping Brien safe and holding him on your knees!! Happy Birthday Brien!! You will always be my little man and the heart of the game!! I love you forever and always!! Muah!! Love Mom.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIEN!!!! LOVE YA!!!! Love your stepdad, Alan

 Happy Birthday Brien! We love you and miss you! Love, Aunt Cathy :)


Happy 25th Birthday, Brien Andrew Maloney. 25 woulda looked damn good on you! I can't believe it's been 11 years without you.... I just hope we still make you proud lil buddy!! ♥ Kelley-Rose

Happy birthday Brien!! I can't believe you would have been 25 and able to rent a car! I can't help but wonder if you would have been able to see over the steering wheel though! ;) I miss you each and everyday but then again I look at how blessed I am and I know it's because I have you as my guardian angel! Continue resting in piece!! I love you so much! Can't wait to reunite with you in heaven one day ♥ Love your baby sis, Kaitlyn

happy birthday! Love Roxy

Happy Birthday. Love Alyssa

♥ Happy birthday Brien Love Ashley

Happy 25th bday Brien, This year we did the impossible and made the Clippers good just for you... Miss you bro. Love Kyle

Happy Birthday Bro I miss you and love u cant believe u r 25years old can't wait to see u again  Love your sis, Katie

Thinking of and missing our Brien today... It's his 25th Birthday!!! Love You! Love your stepmom Jan

Happy 25th birthday to a very missed and loved brother of mine! ♥ Love your sis Stacey

Happy Birthday to Brien!! Love Kristin

Happy Birthday Brien love your friends, Dana, Ashley, Candice J., Jessica, Tami, Charise, Erik, Laila, Nicole, Lyn,  Andria, Kisha, Amy, Daniel, Zaria, Shay, Cecelia, Mandy,Reginald,Beatriz, Jamie,Amanda, Katie M, Stephanie, Alex, Melissa,Katie S, Giulie, Susie,Kyle A., Sean, Rebekah, Trina, Amber, Missy, Carly, Katelyn H., Lauren, Samuel, Bethany, Ryan, Cheyenne, Sean P., Bryon, Mely, Nichole, Adrienne, Brandon O., David O., Robyn, Kelly,  Kirsten, Robert R., Pat, Gina, Michelle,  Robyn C., Ami K., Todd,  Steven, Carlos, Jamie A., Ryan R., Keith, Chris, Shannon, Nicole A., Mike, Joshua, Jilda, Ray, Mark H., Kelsie, Katy N, Nathan N., Phil C., Bonnie, Rachel M. LouAnn, Rose, Jae, Linda B., Anthony, Sandra S. Ileana, Audrey, Mike T., and Aaron. (I hope I got everyone)


The other day my niece, Madison, wanted to make sure that the world knew "I love my uncle Brien. I wanted to meet him and someday I will. I love him. Happy Birthday Uncle Brien!"

Dear Brien,
I hope you know just how much you are loved and missed. I just wanted to say on your special day how much I love you. You were such a great little brother. The world and my life are a little sadder without you in them. I know that even to this day you still touch lives. You are a hero in my eyes. Thank you for teaching me just how to live. I love you. Happy Birthday my white chocolate.
Love always your big sis,
Aimee!


Thank you to everyone who remembers Brien on his birthday and for all those that wish us, his family, just kind words, well wishes, thoughts and prayers. It truely means alot to us.

*This year for the blog I am looking for some great funny stories of Brien. Feel free to send them to me*

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Its that time of year again.

Today is February 2nd which means tomorrow is the 3rd. What would have been Brien's 25th birthday. 12 days later marks the 11th year he went to heaven. Not a day, a hour, a minute goes by where I don't think of him. That I don't wish he was here, making me smile, making me laugh, making me try new things meet new people. All though I know he can see everything, I still feel like I want to tell him everything he is missing.
Of course this month also mean the Brien Project is back in full force. For which I need your help. If you want to write something about him or to him or just send pictures please feel free.
{In this picture I have always seen an older version of Brien we were never blessed to actually see}
Brien will never be forgotten. His legacy lives in each one of us. Brien you are missed. I am glad you have your best friends with you but we miss the three of you down here.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Black and White

Maybe its the holiday, maybe its because i miss you so. Or maybe its because I see you wherever I go. But lately I think about you more then normal. I see you everywhere from the little girl at work who is super excited to be getting a new soccer ball to the silly teenager getting ready to go on a snow trip. I see you in everyone. A smile, a look, a glimpse, a laugh, a spark of joy, sparkly blues eyes or a simple smile I see you everywhere. And goshdarnitt I miss you like hell.

I wrote this poem 2 years ago, a few days before christmas.


Black and White
12-21-2009
-----------------
I sit here staring,
the black and white photograph
staring back at me.
so many emotions,
so many memories,
yet I cant stare
long enough to get
the color back in your eyes.
its ever haunting,
ever running,
I have forgotten
the sound of your laugh,
the softness of your voice,
the blueness of your eyes.
the picture stare back at me,
void of color,
void of life,
void of everything you ever were,
everything you could have become,
all those words never spoken,
these tears are not for you,
but for me,
because i cant remember your
favorite anything,
you were my everything,
and i cant remember anything,
i try to get back just the
sound of you,
and i cant even remember
the smallest thing,
the tiniest laugh,
the smallest detail of
your everyday life.
the only memory that comes to me,
is you lieing ever so still,
no sound,
no touch,
no life,
your eyes lost its color,
your lips lost its smile,
your skin lost its warmth.
All I want is you back,
here with me,
I just want to have you back,
and i cant
your lost to me,
all i have is this
black and white photograph.


This photo was taken the last Christmas Brien was here with us. Sometimes I look at it and think I can see what he would have looked like now and sometimes all I see is a little boy. This photo is the one that inspired the poem. Its the picture that was everywhere after his death. Looking back its one of three picture that inspired me to become a photographer. I know in my heart Brien is in a better place but that doesnt ease the pain of missing him.

Please remember in all your crazy going abouts that you slow down enjoy the time you have. The people you love. Small things shouldnt matter. Just enjoy this moment no matter how hard times may be. You may just look back and remember it not as the time you didnt have anything but as the time that you had everything with the person/people you love. Take a moment and tell those you love that you do love them. Take the time to forgive, forget and move forward.

Please also remember when you get in you car today, tomorrow or whenever to go the speed limit and follow the road signs and signals. Red light, green light is not a game when you behind the wheel. Dont just think about yourself there are other people on the road. Other mothers, fathers, sister and little brothers. Be safe.

Monday, December 5, 2011

A Christmas Poem

I wrote this poem in december of 2009. I still feel this way. Christmas is still very hard time for me. But I do love Christmas it just isnt the same with an empty seat at the table. I still miss Brien every still damn day. The holidays are no different. In fact I prolly think about him more when people go about shopping and singing and having Christmas joy. I am by no means a grinch, like I said I love Christmas. Its a magical time of year. To me it would just be a whole lot more magical with Brien here.

Christmas without you
------------------------
Christmas isnt really christmas
without you, I am standing
here looking around at all the
tinkling lights and there is no lights
that will ever shine as bright as your eyes
its been years and years and years
and still christmas isnt
the same with out you. I am at
a lost. looking around the mall
and still want to find you that
perfect present that perfect toy
yet i dont even have you to give
it to. all the joy that surrounds
me is all void without you
i am a reall big grinch this
time of year. i cant seem to
get into the spirit without you
you made my day everyday
christmas just isnt the same
without you. your laughter isnt
here to fill a room,
you care free attitude now
lies 6 feet below the ground.
how do i do christmas without you?
it doest get easier as time goes bye,
all those people lied,.
it only get harder, time doesnt
heal just mask the pain.
every year is the hardest one so far.
the farther away i get for you the
more i want to rewind time
to catch a glispe of you
at christmas time.
listin to you sing the carols,
watch you decorate the tree.
get messy with you as we bake
all those sugar cookies.
will christmas ever be the same
without you?

Monday, August 29, 2011

A picture.

Today I looked at a picture of you. Today I missed you  more then yesterday. Today I wish you were here. Today I held a picture of you. Today I wished I was hugging you instead