Maryland Blogger alliance
The Maryland Blogger Alliance
Brandon 1
We buried him this morning, on a beautiful spring day when he should have been out playing golf with his father. He had turned 20 exactly a month before being found dead in his bed at his grandmother’s house last Monday.Â
The circumstances surrounding Brandon’s death are murky, and in any case of no importance here. Thirty-seven years separate our birth dates, yet we found a peculiar sort of brotherhood, the few occasions we were able to spend time together quietly.Â
But for the grace of God, I might have met the same fate, and DAMN what we have done—so often in the name of keeping kids “safeâ€?—that has made it so easy for so many young people to die prematurely.Â
Musing after the funeral, I remembered this song that had been recorded by Eric Burden and the Animals, around the time I was in my late teens. The lyrics have a peculiar resonance, considering Brandon’s life.
Baby, do you understand me now
Sometimes I feel a little mad
But don't you know that no one alive
Can always be an angel
When things go wrong I seem to be bad
But I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
Baby, sometimes I'm so carefree
With a joy that's hard to hide
And sometimes it seems that all I have do is worry
Then you're bound to see my other side
But I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
If I seem edgy I want you to know
That I never mean to take it out on you
Life has it's problems and I get my share
And that's one thing I never meant to do
Because I love you
Oh, Oh baby don't you know I'm human
Have thoughts like any other one
Sometimes I find myself long regretting
Some foolish thing some little simple thing I've done
But I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
Yes, I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
Yes, I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood
Too soon, my young friend. All too soon.