Brad was my half brother-as are Ed, Brian and as was Greg-baby Julie (as dad lovingly refers to her) my half sister. They were all teenagers by the time I was born, and we lived on different sides of the country-so we didn’t see each other as much as I’d liked to have. See, I got into a lot of trouble when I was a kid and spent a lot of time in and out of group homes and detention centers. I guess I was the other “naughty Deets“, lol.  Ed has always been there for me through everything, and Greg showed lots of support throughout my life; but Brad understood me. Brad felt the same pain and challenges in his heart and soul as I did and we shared that our whole lives. Every single time I was locked up somewhere, it would only be a matter of weeks before I would receive a letter from him. He would also sometimes send me drawings on hanker chiefs that were absolutely beautiful. He would write uplifting and encouraging letters to me telling me that everything was going to be OK and that I needed to just hold on and make it through this, because better times were ahead.  The thing was, lots of the times he sent me these letters, he too was locked up somewhere and going through all the same things – sending ME the support. I still have some of those letters and hanker chiefs he sent me, and I will cherish those always. I did get the chance to tell him how important it was to me that he was there throughout those times because I didn’t have many others. His love and encouragement filled my heart and made my time in whatever hell hole I was in easier knowing that he was behind me-loving and supporting me. Unfortunately, I continued to have problems into my early 20s- only this time they were marital. I called Brad and told him I was leaving Pennsylvania and he immediately offered me his home to crash at in Santa Fe. I ended up staying with Ed and Diane in Moriarty for about a month before I got my own place in Mountainair-unfortunately never making it to Santa Fe to see Brad. Which will haunt me always. 

Brad wasn’t a perfect human-certainly not-but he was a diamond in the rough. He was the kind of person that our disparaging world needs more of.  He cared about his ppl from the deepest depths of his heart, and his loyalty was unwavering. He was strong, street smart, brave, talented, loving and kind. He was who I called throughout my life when I needed advice in an area that only he and I understood.  He will be terribly missed and forever loved. My biggest regret in life to date is that I wasn’t there when he could have used the support from me-just as he had always been there when I needed the support from him. 💔

My deepest condolences for everyone who has suffered from the loss of this great man. He will be loved always and missed terribly. 

Love,

The other Deets (Jennifer)