September 12th, 2010

I started playing hockey back in Minnesota when I was three years old.  I have a pond behind my house and I spent much of my childhood skating with my dad and brother.  My brother is four years older than older than me and I'd always looked up to him and his ability to play.  Then, around the time when I was five, I saw someone at my brother’s hockey practices and games that I didn’t think I’d see -- a girl.  

                Brandi was the best female hockey player I’d ever seen growing up.  She scored more goals and skated faster than any of the boys on her team, or any team for that matter.  She guided her team not only with her physical ability, but with her natural leadership as well.  Brandi joined the girl’s varsity hockey team in just seventh grade, a first in our city.   Her strength in the sport inspired me to always try my hardest and to prove to myself that I was capable of whatever I put my mind to. Since I played on team that Brandi’s little sister played on, she would often come to our practices to help out and give advice.  During these years I got to know Brandi a little better and worked hard to impress her.  Brandi had been my idol growing up and playing with her was like playing with a celebrity.  

 Brandi worked at the rink throughout high school as well.  She would always greet me with a smile and ask me how hockey was going for me and what was new in my life.  When Brandi graduated as an All American Athlete in both hockey and lacrosse, the hockey association was sad to see her go.  She moved on to play hockey at a division one school and everyone was very proud and excited for her, even if it meant we wouldn’t be seeing as much of her.  To my surprise, Brandi came home during many breaks and helped out at my teams practices.  She was the same Brandi I’d always known.  She was cheerful and genuinely excited to see us and help us grow.  My respect for Brandi only grew more. 

Six days before I moved to Wartburg, Brandi committed suicide. 

 By the time of her funeral, the shock still hadn’t subsided.  I could not believe that such a talented, amazing, and inspiring person had taken her own life.  I wish Brandi could have seen just how many people she had touched in her lifetime.  There were so many people attending her funeral that we had to park several blocks away from the packed parking lot.  There were more flowers than I’d ever seen before in my life.  The bouquets literally did not all fit inside the funeral home and had to be displayed outside as well. 

  I cannot possibly find words to sum up just the kind of person Brandi was.  I haven’t run into anyone else like her in my life.  It was such an honor to know her, even if our time together really was too short.