Brandy

Brandy has spent her life caring for others, but her greatest joy has always been creating meaningful memories with her children. Even in the face of terminal illness, she continues to embrace each day with gratitude, faith, and an unwavering focus on the moments that matter most.

Brandy says that she is often asked: How does she stay so positive despite the many challenges she has faced in her life? She attributes it to her ability to stay focused on the positives. Although her faith has been tested, it continues to see her through as she trusts that God has a plan even when that plan is unclear.

Brandy has a teenage son and daughter, and every decision she has made as an adult has been with them in mind. She worked in the medical field for twenty years, starting as a CNA at 15. As a young woman she hoped to be a surgeon, but what she wanted more was to be a mother. She knew she would want to focus her time on her future children, so instead of medical school, she trained to be a paramedic. She says she always liked helping people through her work in healthcare and had a passion for patient care. For the last five years of her employment, she stepped away from healthcare and worked for BNSF, dispatching trains across the country.

When her children were younger, she loved to find fun, unique adventures on a budget. They loved to decorate for the holidays and enjoyed Pumpkin Nights and Luminova. Christmas was their favorite holiday, and their home would become a Christmas wonderland. They loved hiking, camping and scouts, times spent together in nature. She took them for a special trip to explore New Orleans, filled with new adventures like their first flight.

When her social worker sat down with her to talk about Project 4031, Brandy knew her dream would be an adventure with her kids. She chose Medieval Times. Her son is a history buff with an interest in the time period. And her daughter? Well, she thought she would sit this out until she saw the period costume her mother had purchased for her. While she might not have been drawn to knights on horseback, she couldn’t pass up a lovely costume. The crowd that day was amazing and both of her children had an unforgettable experience. And for Brandy, the best day is a day spent enjoying with her children.When Brandy talks about her kids, it is important to her that they know they are loved. She speaks with pride about their kindness and their caring hearts. That is what she hopes they will take forward as they continue into their adult lives.

Now that Brandy is on hospice care, she is grateful for the time she has had to prepare herself and her children and the opportunity to get her own arrangements in order. She speaks about the unexpected kindness of friends. She is used to giving, so learning to receive has been a new experience. A woman who radiates gratitude, Brandy cherishes the gifts and kindnesses, large and small, that have been shared with her.

“And I will sail my vessel ‘til the river runs dry. Like a bird upon the wind, these waters are my sky. I’ll never reach my destination, if I never try, so I will sail my vessel ‘til the river runs dry.”—Garth Brooks, The River