Moments That Freeze in Time

One of the perks of homeschooling Oldest Son was the freedom it gave him to persue many different interests of his.


On a particular day, a teacher from his former school called. She had a sixth grade student whom she thought would benefit from a tutor/mentor relationship with Oldest Son. We both agreed that this was something he could learn much from also, so one afternoon a week he ventured back to his old school in that roll. It was a very good fit. Oldest Son was having a wonderful time, and so was his student. Besides tutoring him, they also discovered that they had many of the same interests.


Then came the moment that is frozen in time. My alarm went off, as it did every morning. It was set to come on at the time the local news cast was given. Sometimes things are heard that are just IMPOSSIBLE to believe. This must be why they freeze in our minds. I had heard the name of Oldest Son's student.


Did they actually say "DEAD"?


Not moments later, the phone rang. It was the school. They were trying to inform parents personally, before they heard it from the news. Not that I would have felt any less shocked hearing this story from a friend. Oldest Son's student had died tragically in a late night fire at his home.


He had initially made it out of the house. But he could hear the cries of his wheelchair bound grandmother, and went back in to rescue her.


In the short time (and it was a short time) Oldest Son knew this boy he taught him a few things. Incredibly, Oldest Son ended up learning more from him.


I wonder what this boy would have become? What would his life have been like? We will never forget him.


His name is Brandon.