At 12 noon on December 14, 1993, Brandon Michael Dahley took his last breath and joined the angels in heaven. His dad and I said our final goodbyes while our minister said a prayer and I held him in my arms for the very last time. After packing up his belongings we walked down the hallway and into the elevators at Mott’s Children’s Hospital for the very last time. Much like upon our arrival, we did this alone, grief-stricken and with heavy hearts.
Brandon’s final hand and footprints were graciously taken and given to us as a keepsake. These tiny fingers and toes have left their mark, and will continue to leave a mark, on the world for decades to come. He’s forever in our hearts.
His Journey’s Just Begun: by Ellen Brenneman
Don’t think of him as gone away–
his journey’s just begun;
life holds so many facets–
this earth is only one.
Just think of him as resting
from the sorrows and the tears
in a place of warmth and comfort
where there are no days and years.
Think how he must be wishing
that we could know, today,
how nothing but our sadness
can really pass away.
And think of him as living
In the hearts of those he touched…
for nothing loved is ever lost–
and he was loved so much.
