Today I started the new year by going to volunteer at the homeless lunch at the Hollywood United Methodist Church for the first time in a long time. When I arrived Linda, the wonderful woman who runs the program, let me know that one of the men who regularly came to the lunch, BRANDON, had been hit by a car and killed while he was trying to get back from the hospital back in November. Brandon struggled with a lot so I honestly can’t say I was very surprised by the news, but it was a tremendously sad loss.
I met Brandon about two years ago at HUMC and from the first moment I was struck by his humor and positive outlook in the face of whatever he was dealing with. I remember on that first day, he was recovering from some severe wounds he had received in some kind of attack, but was still ready with a smile and a joke. He brought a positive and bright energy with him each Tuesday. Everyone knew him, liked him and looked forward to him coming in.
The last time I saw Brandon, I was fortunate enough to get to spend a few hours talking with him and hearing some of his story. I got to see where he stayed (in a carport down the street from the church) and hear a little about his life and family. I remember that at the exact moment he spoke about how much he loved his late mother, the sun literally broke through the unusually cloudy LA sky and shined down on him. It seemed clear to him (and me) that she was looking down on him in that moment. It was an amazing conversation that I will always remember.
That day I discovered that he loved comics (just like me) and his favorite character was Wolverine (just like me) and today I found out he was 39 (just like me). It made me think about what my life could have been like. When I was going through my own hard times, if I hadn’t had the support of good friends, if my parents hadn’t been able to leave me a small inheritance, if I hadn’t had the privilege of a safe and secure childhood, or any one of a thousand other things went the other way, how different things could have been. If I was in his situation, would I have been able to deal with things with Brandon’s positivity, strength and humor? I honestly don’t know.
Today I also found out Brandon’s last name. His name was Brandon Lambert. I wish I knew him better. I’m going to miss his positive energy and big personality every Tuesday but I’m grateful I had the opportunity to meet him.
If you would like to help HUMC support other amazing people going through hard times you can get more information at www.hollywoodumc.org or check out our ongoing “Walk a Mile” Drive
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