– Five years ago on an average September evening you did one of your favorite things for the last time; you bowled in the men’s league.

Five years ago you drank and had a great time with your friends as the evening seemed so normal. When you were done bowling a friend said “Hey, you drank too much. Let me take you home.” You said, “No, I’ll be ok.”

Five years ago you drove to a local bar and did another favorite thing, played pool most of the night. When the bar closed, another asked how you were getting home and you said, “I’ll be OK.”

Five years ago at 2:28 a.m. you would never be OK again. In the dark of the night you crashed a car and died instantly.

Five years ago at 4:15 a.m. when the police knocked on my door, my world Stopped. Nothing else mattered. Everything that I ever dreamed about, was now gone.

For the last five years I think about you every day. Your friends have grown. They have children, new families, good jobs, and like me; They remember you.

We were all so blessed to have you as a son, a grandson, and a friend. Your memories will never go away nor the sadness of living without you. Only through sharing your story and knowing that others have thought twice about Drinking and Driving does my heart slowly heal.

Together we have opened many eyes but there will always be one who thinks, “It’ll Never to them,” but we all know it could.

Alcohol doesn’t pick its victims, the choices you make do. Then in time, someone else will have to sadly say, Five years ago today…

R.I.P. Brandon

Help me to make a difference in Drinking and Driving at www.DUIawareness.com or “like” Fb; DUIawareness Brandons Dad

Vernon Hilyer, Brandon’s Dad