"If I Were You" by Collin Raye  / Brandon's Loving Mom


IF I WERE YOU

But if I were you, I'd promise to live life for all it's worth
Take all that you've been given
And leave your mark upon this earth


Brandon, this reminds me so much of you.  You were given a life with a very complicated heart and you lived that life the best you were able.  I am so very proud of the way you handled "all that you'd been given" and you left your mark upon this earth.  You touched more lives than I could ever have imagined and I am finding out more and more every day that we will NEVER know how many lives you really touched.

As your mom, I couldn't have been more blessed to have you as MY son and proud of the mark that YOU left upon this earth!!!

I saw Josh at Fairfield Commons yesterday while I was shopping with Susan and he introduced me to his friend as "Brandon's mom".  You can't even imagine how that made me feel to be introduced to someone as YOUR MOM!!  That touched my heart in a way that no one will EVER understand and it will remain forever in my heart as you will always remain a part of me. 

I love you so very much.  Today was your Mass at 10:30 a.m. from The Fischers.  Fr. Mark had an awesome sermon and the Mass was about shepherds leading their sheep as God loves us and watches over us and loves us all and his loves is never ending as my love for you is never ending.

I think about you constantly and I miss you more and more every day but my love for you continues to grow as I get closer to God. Thank you for being MY son and for being the BEST son any mother could ask for.

Love you from Heaven and back!!!  I look forward to being with you in our Eternal Life.

  Hugs and Kisses, Love from your Mom Always and Forever 

                                                                                                                    



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Brandon, I love you with all my heart and soul!  / Irene (Brandon's Loving Mom )
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So sorry  / Joyce Yack Angel Matthews Mom (another grieving mother )
Please except my deepest sympathy in the loss of your precious son Brandon. I know the pain too well myself. I also lost a 15 year old son in April 2003. My youngest and only boy. I know the pain heartache and suffering that we moms go through. Dads miss and hurt too, but I think its different for us moms, we grew them birthed them and took care of them. We have a special bond to our children, especially with our boys. Our little men...Just like daddys and daughters. Its just different. I hope our boys are hanging together up there in Heaven . May God grant you alittle peace and comfort within your heart and mind. My thoughts and prayers will be with you. God Bless all of you in Brandons family.Have a Blessed Easter.
www.matthewyack.memory-of.com
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thank you!  / Alli Giner (Friend)
Mr. and Mrs. Bacher and Angela,
My Grandma dies a few months ago, and I have still yet to get over it.  I just visited the grave for the first time about a month ago.  But anyways, I just wanted to let you know that all of your strength has given me strength with knowing that she is in Heaven just as Brandon is. 

I also wanted to apologize for not writing on here, I actually didn't know that it existed!  But I think that this website was a wonderful idea and it's amazing!  I will write to you again.  Your in mine, and my whole family's prayers!:) Close

Missing You on Your 2nd Anniversary  / Brandon's Dad
My Beloved Buddy, I can't believe it has been two year today that you left us and went to be with the Lord in Heaven. I miss you so much and I wish you were here with us, but no matter how much it hurts us, I could never be so selfish. I had only asked God to make you better and take your pain away. He did that and now we have the pain of not having you with us. We did have a good day remembering you, with most of your Ascension classmates, your family and many of our friends out at the cemetary. This was the first time most of them saw the monument. After some prayers, Mom read some of Angela's poems. She did a wonderful job reading them. Afterwards, most of us went to Marion's, had pizza and talked about the many memories you gave us in 15 1/2 years. I Love You So Much and I always will. Keep watch over all of us. All my Love Forever, Dad Close

Your 2nd Anniversary in Heaven!!!  / Brandon's Mom
My Dearest Son, Brandon, There are no words to express how I feel each and every day since you left this earth and took God's Hand and followed him to Heaven. Dad and I started off at 8:15 a.m. Mass with our Dearest Fr. Dave. He mentioned your anniversary at the beginning of Mass and mentioned losing loved ones during petitions. He surprised me and it touched my heart deeply when he spoke of it to his congregation at St. Helen. I do attend St. Helen a lot so some of the regulars know me through Fr. Dave and know I am from Ascension. Fr. Dave is the greatest and he wanted me to say hi to you and thank you for being such a beautiful part of his life. I know you love him dearly as I do. After Mass I asked Fr. Dave if he would pray extra for Luke. Could you please watch over him also and help him stay out of trouble so he is able to graduate next year at Tecumseh High School. We went to Children's Hospital and talked for about 10 minutes to Dr. Ross and then only a few minutes with Dr. Ralston. We promised to visit them again in the future. Both doctors knew this was your 2nd year anniversary and it meant a lot to see them again. At 11:30 a.m. we met Linda, Teresa, Grandma, Grandpa, Roger, Granny, Sam, Diane, Carol Litmer, Linda Burns, Susan Yahna, Wanda, Patty Isaacs, Tom O'Neill, about 8 RCS adults. The kids in your class that attended were Luke Burns, Josh Saintignon, Stephanie Isaacs, Courtney Minnix, Julie Bailey, Cassandra Weitz, Jason Heider, Matthew Manuszak, Joey Hendrickson, Andrew Litmer, Philip Penrod, Wil Sayer, Britney Barney, Sarah Nelson, Tina Nissen, Esther, Michael Foreman, Cameron Allen, and Ali Giner. Those not in attendance were Megan Falter, Jack Clarkson, Chris Fischer, Brittney Phillips (tonsilectomy), Andrew Stroud and Chris Kulhanek. I read a few of Ang's poems along with the "Our Father" and the "Memorare" in which we held hands. Carol Litmer brought individual red roses, Linda and Teresa brought yellow mums and Susan brought a red pinwheel. We proceeded to move our party to Marion's at Town & Country with most of your friends. Ang surprised us by showing up at Marion's from school. She's the most awesome daughter ever. We ate pizza, peeps and drank mountain dew, coke and just hung around. I had the kids sign a poster board and write down their email accounts in a notebook so we can keep in touch with each other. I also ordered pictures from their 8th grade field trip and handed them out and they divided them between each other. I really enjoyed spending time with your friends and they are an awesome group of kids. I love all of them and I hope to keep in touch with each and every one of them in the coming years. Brandon, you are so blessed to have such great friends!!! We are so blessed to have had you for 15-1/2 years! We love you to Heaven and back!! I miss you more and more every day but I look forward to the day when we will be reunited in our eternal life. Until then please watch over every one of us and keep us all safe. You are the most awesome son any mother could ask for and I am so proud the courageous boy you were here on earth. I love to talk about you to everyone as you can tell!!!! I absolutely love to brag about my two children and I will always remember the awesome memories you gave us. I am the proudest mother in the world!! I love and miss you on this very special anniversary of yours. The time is now 4:55 p.m. and two years ago we were just returning home from spending the afternoon with you in the hospital as you lay in your bed after 12:01 p.m. All My Love Forever and Ever, Your Loving Mom Always Close

Angela's 2nd year Anniversary Poem in Honor of Brandon  / Brandon's Mom
15 YEARS TO LIVE


Although the time has come and gone
And your presence has disappeared
Your soul still hovers over us
For death is no longer feared
We see you through your symbols
And feel you through our prayers
In our hearts you’ll always be
Forever in our glowing stares
So we glance up at tonight’s sky
Still wishing upon that star
Not to wish for you to return
But that you bless us from afar
I believe that lying there
You smiled up at God
You were finally ready to go
He just gave you that simple nod


By Angela Bacher, your sister forever Close

Jared's Story March 11, 2006  / Brandon's Mom
Dear Buddy Brandon, Sharon told me this story at Teresa's Pampered Chef Party at Shannon's house on Sunday, March 12, 2006. Jared (age 6) was getting his hair cut and the lady was just getting started when Jared said his hair was like how his cousin used to wear his before he got really sick. The lady asked how his cousin was and Jared said that Brandon had passed away. But wasn't it neat they had the same hair. I hope you like the story. Jared is always telling and finding stories about you, buddy. He and everyone that knows you loves and misses you so very much. Watch over all of us please!!! We all need an angel watching over our shoulders each and every day!!! Close

Ascension Mass Today In Your Honor  / Brandon's Mom
My Precious Angel Brandon, Today is Wednesday, March 8, 2006. I love you so very much and miss you with all my heart. Today we had our family (just Dad and I) mass for you at Ascension in the Chapel at 9:00 a.m. Three years ago we picked up Lily and Gracie from the breeder and they have been a joy ever since. I thank you every day for needing the dogs so badly. Also, two years ago Dr. Mori, your Orthodontist removed your braces to make it easier on you after you had decided to go ahead and allow us to put you on the Heart Transplant List at Cincinnati Children's Hospital on Wednesday, March 3, 2004. You told me over and over again that there were children out there that needed a new heart more than you did, so you didn't even want to be put on the list. In the end it was up to you because that morning of Wednesday, March 24, 2004 you told me you didn't want to go to Cincinnati Children's. Every time Dr. Ralston or Dr. Ross revived you after a few minutes, you coded and went back to your stage of being comotose. You won in the end, instead you took God's hand and followed him home to Heaven. I miss you so deeply that my heart just aches for you and your sense of humor, your smile and everything about you, especially being able to hug and kiss you. You are the bravest 15-1/2 year old I have ever met and I am so proud to be YOUR mother and have you as MY son. I will write you again on your 2nd year anniversary on Friday, March 24, 2006. Honey, please watch over your sister and all your friends, especially Luke!!!!! I love you with all my heart and soul and I miss you more and more everyday. As you know, Fr. Dave helps me a lot when I am upset as he always knows the right things to say to me. Fr. Dave loves you dearly and so does everyone in the family, especially me, dad and Angela. I will try to be patient until I meet you in Heaven in Our Eternal Life with God. All My Love Always to My Son, Your Mom Forever and Ever March 8, 2006 Close

WHY YOU? (poem written by Brandon's big sister, Angela Bacher)  / Brandon's Mom
WHY YOU? Why did you leave me here alone? My soul is fading fast Why can't I take all this in That your heart just couldn't last? Why can I not hear your voice, Or touch your tiny hand? Why didn't you tell me That you had to leave this land? Why is it hard to understand The true meaning of life? Why can I not contemplate, When all I saw was strife? Why is my whole world so lost Without you by my side? Why can't you stay on Earth? I don't want you to hide Why were you chosen At such an early age? Why didn't I come with you? God, I'm not in a cage! Why is death so painful Yet so happy and so free? Why don't I show my sadness? I guess that's just me Why is everyone crying, When they know you are free of pain? Why can't they accept this? Their tears pour down like rain Why didn't I look closer To the person you became? Why can't I turn back time? I don't want to feel shame Why do terrible things happen To the good ones here on Earth? Why did you have to suffer For years after your birth? Why do I feel stronger Knowing you're watching over me? Why am I not mad at God? It's because you are a tree Poem written in remembrance of Brandon Bacher, by his big sister, Angela D. Bacher - 2004 Close

I understand how much you miss your beatiful son  / Judy Grandma To Kinsley Howard (visitor)
I always read the stories of  the children and the ones I know that are
similar to our Kinsleys really touch my heart. Kinsley was 11 & half
and died from a complication to one of her heart surgerys and was
sick alot of her life to. And I understand the lonliness and feelings of
helplessness Kinsley was our world and our time was trying to make
her life more enjoyable. Now we dont no what to do with ourselves
except miss our Kinsley and wish we still had her to take care of.
You and your family will be in our prayers and thoughts. Brandon
is a handsome young man. God has a plan but the heartache is still
there for those of us left. God Bless  Judy Close

I Love and Miss You very much!  / Irene (Brandon's Mom )
You will always be
A Precious Memory!!!

Brandon, my Precious Son and Angel,
I will FOREVER love you and miss you!!! Close

PLEASE TALK ABOUT BRANDON!  / Irene (Brandon's Mom )
It soothes my broken heart
When I hear someone talk about Brandon. Close

Merry Chirstmas Buddy  / Steve (Father)
I was our second Christmas without you and even though we had a nice day, it was not the same as it would have been with you here. Granny gave me a new necklace with your picture on it. Of course we ordered it for her (ha ha). This one should last longer that the one I had. I gave Angela the lottery scratch-off that you "helped" me with, the $25 winner. She couldn't believe that you gave us a winner! I gave Mom a couple of bracelets, one with a butterfly and the other with a nice saying about mothers and children. Buddy, I know that you were there with us today and everyday, but I miss you not being here and being able to hold you. I Love You So Much Buddy and I hope you had a nice Christmas with Scotty, Shawn and Papa. All my Love, Dad Close

Merry Christmas, My Angel, Brandon!  / Irene (Mother)
My Handsome Son, Brandon, This is now the 2nd Christmas without you and I will ALWAYS keep missing you no matter what day it might be! I know how much you loved Christmas, purchasing gifts for your family and friends, opening gifts from Santa, being videotaped (lol) by dad on Christmas morning, and "loving" how dad always had us get together by the Christmas tree for our yearly family picture (lol). The picture always seemed to take forever and then he always wanted 2, 3 or 4, whatever the case might be at that time. Our family picture won't be the same without you!!!!! I put up different ones in ornaments on the tree this year so most of them have the 4 of us in them. I know God had plans for you that's why you are not with us any more but that doesn't mean I miss you any less. I know God has great plans for you and now you feel like you belong and you can watch over us as our Guardian Angel. Sometimes you really have to keep an eye on Angela, but you already knew that! (lol) I know you are happy in your new home, especially because you have no more pain and you don't have to do any homework (I know how much you hated homework!). Even though you hated the work, you were a very smart student! I talked with your tutor from Carroll High School, Cathy Jackson today at St. Helen's 5:00 p.m. Christmas Mass. She asked how I was doing and I told her some days it is so very hard to live without you, but other days I DO realize you are better off than we are here on earth. Merry Christmas, my buddy, and I will write you again soon! Help me to get through today with the family, especially your little cousins. They remind me so much of you and how you used to take care of them and help them open their gifts. Ryan misses you so much, I can see it in his face when we are together. He misses "his Brandon" and he ALWAYS will, just like all of us. I love you from the bottom of my heart, honey! I miss you more and more each and every day of my life! I look forward to the day we are reunited after I finish the work God has planned for me here on earth. ALL MY LOVE FOREVER, YOUR MOM ALWAYS Close

Holidays.... / Diane Cassidy- Angel Mom-Katie
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Brandon / Stephanie Isaacs (Friend)
Hello Irene and Steve.  I just wanted to let you know that I visited Brandon today.  The gravestone is beautiful.  I dont think I have ever seen one like it.  I just thought I would let you know that.  I love you guys!  Brandon and Scott, I hope your having fun up there!!;)  Love Stephanie Close

Praying for your family.......  / Diane Cassidy- Angel Mom-Katie

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Brandon, I will always love you!!!  / Mom (Mom)
Hey Buddy, Last night I attended St Helen Mass (of course Fr. Dave) with Susan Yahna in Memory of her mom, Phyllis Furderer. As Fr. Dave started his homily, he picked up this picture and started by saying "a few years ago I was fortunate enough to spend some time in Toledo, Spain...it hit me right away. The beautiful breath- taking black and gold cross that he bought for you was from Toledo, Spain. I remember he was in Spain as you were at Mayo Clinic having your mitral valve replacement with Dr. Daniels. He would call Ascension and get the update on you from Connie Wahle or Sr. Maureen. As you know, after spending 2 weeks in the hospital in Rochester, Minnesota, you then spent another 2 weeks at Children's Hospital here in Dayton. That is when Fr. Dave paid you a visit and presented the gorgeous Cross to you along with his prayers and blessing. That and all of the prayers from family, friends and unknown people around the US helped pull you through your major heart problems for another 8 years. Thank God for those 15-1/2 years I (we) were able to enjoy with you! Anyway, after Mass there was a reception downstairs of the rectory and as I approached Fr. Dave, he said to me "you know what else happened in Toledo, Spain don't you?" I said yes, you purchased the beautiful Cross for Brandon and then gave it to him after you returned home and when Brandon was admitted to Dayton Children's Hospital. I then told him he was awesome and he walked away. Of all the things he has going on in his life, he wanted you to know that he DID remember! He leaves for France today for a 2 week vacation, so please watch over him and keep him healthy and safe. I lit a candle for him after church and I bought him a travel angel pin to put in his pocket or suitcase, wherever he chooses. He put it right in his pocket and Susan and I left. That brought tears of joy to my eyes as I drove home from Susan's house right behind St. Helen Church. While I was standing in church waiting for Susan I talked to a few kids from CHS and they mentioned that the Junior Class (your class) is a very good class, which I already knew. They also mentioned that some of your friends still have your name in their profile on their computer. That brought happy tears to my eyes and made me realize that your classmates will NEVER forget YOU like all of us!!! Stephanie, thank you for all your acknowledges to Brandon on this website and I hope more of your classmates will leave messages because it DOES help to talk to Brandon, believe me I know!! Julie, thank you also for your notes to Brandon. You, too, please pass on this website to the other kids so, if they would like, write a note to him as well. ALL OF YOU ARE AWESOME!!! WE ARE SO BLESSED TO HAVE ALL OF YOU IN OUR LIVES!! PLEASE DON'T EVER FORGET US OR BRANDON! WE LOVE ALL OF YOU VERY MUCH!!!!!! I am still in touch with Tony Hawk and he (through his sister, Lenore) autographed a poster and sent it to me so we are able to sell raffle tickets and use the money towards a scholarship next year for a Senior at Carroll High School in your memory! Actually, Lenore told me to remind her every year and she would have Tony autograph one in your memory. Brandon, I will always love you and I miss you more and more each day. Some days it is so hard to just make it through without you and other days I just smile about all the things you did to make me smile and all the great memories we had. You were so very brave your whole life and there was never a day that I didn't believe that! I was (am) so proud of you and so thankful that you ARE my son!! LOVE AND HUGS AND KISSES TO YOU, BRANDON!!!!! We will be together again someday and I look so forward to that day when God chooses. Some days it seems like eternity and other days it seems like yesterday when God took your hand and you went to Heaven with him. Now you can look down on all of us and watch over us and keep us safe. You are the best! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH, BUDDY! LOVE, MOM Close

Happy 9th Anniversary!  / Mom (Mom)
My Dearest Buddy and Son, Brandon, Happy 9th Anniversary of your Mitral Valve Replacement at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Danielson and his assistant, Dr. Thomas doubled your life and we thank God every day for the opportunity to spend almost 7-1/2 years longer with you than expected. It was a trying time in Minnesota and again when we returned home because we thought we were going to lose you or at the least put you on the heart transplant list at that time. But all the prayers from your friends and family and our Ascension family caused you to pull through and send you home after a total of a month in the hospital. Even though it took you 6 months to recover from the surgery you were able to return to school after Easter break and everyone was thrilled that you were able to return to 2nd grade. Mrs. Kissel asked you to read the "opening prayer" at the surprise of Dad and myself. You looked so wonderful up there are it sure was a happy time and an occasion for happy tears. I am ever so proud of you and all you went through your whole life. I am so happy and blessed that you were MY son that I enjoyed spending time with for 15-1/2 years. I love you with all my heart and I miss you more every day. I look forward to the day that we are reunited again in our eternal life. Please give "high 5s" to Scotty, Shawn and Miranda, and Papa and all your aunts and uncles that have passed away and are now in Heaven with you. I love and miss you so very much! Thank you for YOU! Thank you for all the wonderful memories! Thank you for our weiner dogs (dachschunds), Lily and Gracie, for they are such a joy! Thank you for all you gave us and thanks for watching out for us from up in Heaven! I will always love you forever and ever, Your loving Mom Close