11/9/2023
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An open letter to our family, friends, neighbors, and the gigantic community that has supported us over the last twelve months:
Dear Friends – We are writing on the eve of the first anniversary of the tragic death of our beloved Braylon, with a simple note of thanks and of hope. So many of you have done so much to boost our spirits, to honor Braylon and his legacy, and to show love that knows no bounds. You all have suffered as we have, yet you have shown such positivity, such empathy, and such fondness for Braylon. We would certainly fail his legacy if we did not put pen to paper and convey a few thoughts.
As most of you know, Braylon’s friends arranged for Arlington County to place a refurbished bench at Fort Smith, which is about three basketball court lengths from our house and a place that we – and many of our friends and neighbors – visit nearly every day. The bench is adorned with a plaque that reads “In Loving Memory of Braylon Meade – His Humor, Kindness and Courage Will Live on Forever in Those Who Loved Him.” The language of that plaque means so much to us for so many reasons and is the touchstone for this letter.
The acts of kindness conveyed by all of you have been extraordinary. For those acts, we cannot thank you enough. We literally would not have survived the last year without your unbending support. And your deep appreciation of what Braylon meant to you. And to us. To all of us, as one.
From neighbors braving the weather in November and December 2022 to field all of the deliveries that came our way in the early days after Braylon’s death, to the dozens of you who handed deliveries off or arranged for delivery. From the dear classmates and friends who arranged for the vigil at W-L on the Sunday after his death, to the hundreds of friends, colleagues, neighbors, classmates, teachers, coaches, and Arlington residents who attended to vigil. From the hundreds of individuals who have contributed to the scholarship funds set up in Braylon’s name and administered by the incredible Arlington Community Foundation and by the University of Michigan, to those who posted for W-L hoops games, without a child on the floor, to show support for us and, more importantly, for the teammates who fought through such adversity and played the game Braylon loved with intensity, spirit, and focus. From those who arranged for “Once a General Always a General” and “One Arlington” t-shirts to be made and distributed broadly, to the hundreds of warm hugs and embraces, many from parents and kids wearing those shirts. From those who arranged this past spring to have the W-L basketball team spread the ten yards of mulch that Braylon would have spread with his old man (who was largely along for the ride) in our challenging yard, to those who warmly invited us to graduation events and to college sendoffs. From his close friends who planned and hosted the incredible “Ginger Cup” memorial golf tournament in June, to our incredible family members who made their way to our home, despite busy schedules, or who conveyed kindness in words and in so many other ways. From the incredible Donaldson Run community that contributed mightily to the Scholarship Fund through the swim-a-thon and then dedicated the basketball court and bench at DR, adorned with the silhouette of Braylon, to the classmates who simply checked in with us over the past 12 months via text, email and in person.
From the Michigan crew who, knowing the pain we would feel when looking over to the student section at the UNLV-Michigan football game in September and not seeing Braylon there, procured dozens of Michigan jerseys adorned with #22 and “Meade” on the back, to the close friends of Braylon’s who returned to Arlington for fall break and took time to visit with us. From friends of Bryan’s who arranged not just for a touching video from Braylon Edwards, but also arranged for signed #1 jerseys from the same former wideout to be delivered to us, Bryan, and Kerry. From the clients of Kris’ firm who supported the scholarship fund, shared with their kids not just the tragic news of Braylon’s death but also his legacy, wore the “BM #22” rubber bracelets day after day, and continually check in on us, to the 50+ folks who wrote victim impact statements on Braylon’s behalf. From the incredible teachers, counselors and coaches at W-L who continue to honor Braylon, in deeds and in words, well into the 2023-24 academic year. From the line prosecutors, Arlington County detectives, and Victims Unit personnel who worked diligently to both seek justice and to comfort us against the backdrop of the horrible event that took Braylon’s life. From Kris’ treasured work colleagues and our family friends who are helping us take back November 11 through a day of service and food drive, to the cycling, running and swimming groups who filled the void, gave us space, and yet were there for us at every turn. To the coaches and parents of teammates who have made the Braylon Meade Basketball Classic in December 2023 a reality that will soon occur.
Humor. Kindness. Courage.
Our family has committed to do all we can to ensure Braylon’s legacy not only survives, which you have all proven it will, but thrives and impacts lives in the way that Braylon had impacted lives during his time with us. And we want that impact to occur through the three attributes that his friends captured so well. The two of us surely fall short at times when it comes to humor, kindness, and courage, but we hope that we are learning as we go. This incredible community has taught us so much, not just about the love that can come from a community – no matter how expansive and no matter where located – but about how the comfort of community extends far beyond a moment of intense need. You have all demonstrated time and again the life-altering and life-sustaining power of humor, kindness, and courage. We think we sometimes underestimate the immense power of kindness. And we at times underestimate the capacity for kindness, when we see acts of cruelty in the world around us. We implore everyone to pause, to reflect upon the kindness that you have received and delivered, and to think how important your community’s acts of kindness are to your very existence. And how each of you, through your own acts of kindness, can not just benefit the recipient, but can perpetuate Braylon’s impact. Have the courage to do that. And do it with humor. If you do that, another smile – in the image of Braylon’s – will emerge.
Finally, a word to Braylon. You know we are shattered and forever will be. But we see you, and feel you, everywhere. From cardinals who visit our yard, to the number 22 appearing everywhere – assignments to airport gates, seat assignments on airplanes, a blue 22 appearing on a tree Christine passed while strolling in Paris, bills that literally come to $222.22, and our watches flashing 22s when we run (seconds for Rose, minutes for Kris). And we see you in our dreams. We miss you so, so much and we will never, ever be the same. Bryan and Kerry just want to spend time with you. With your smile. With your humor and your laughter. With your language. They want to be called Kerryeit or argue again the JJ versus Cade question (on which the case is closed and Braylon has the better of the argument). They want to wrestle with you on the beaches of Kauai, oblivious to the stares of other tourists who wonder how a steel cage match has broken out on the beautiful beach. They want to see in action your powers of perception and your quiet empathy. They want to see you, shirtless, doing the dishes (interrupted by flossing), or needing a fresh pair of underwear for another set of squats.
This far-flung but intensely close community misses you so, so much, as well. Our fabulous community misses all of these qualities, plus the impact you would have had in the years ahead. But your community, and your high school friends and your dear Christine in particular, are ensuring that you are right here with us, propelling all of us to be more kind. Funnier. More courageous. More perceptive. More Braylon.
With all the love in our hearts. Thank you all.
Kris and Rose