We first “met” years ago when he posted a meme about some local event happening that made me laugh. Then he did it again on another matter. On and on and on, he would post funny memes on social media that would have me rolling on the floor. I reached out to him and told him that he was hilarious and a friendship was struck.
I found out he lived in Middle Tennessee and through the years we have shared memes, and jokes; and just silly things via all of our social channels. Some of what he put together via Photoshop was priceless and we always would check in on each other to make sure things were going okay.
He would promote the very popular cover band Rubik’s Groove and I would hit up that show because I saw his posts, along with the memes and he always brightened my day.
His name is Chris Brandon. He is a lovely and wonderful man. He is dying of cancer.
He sent me a note one day and said, “I hope you are well. I will need your prayers. I am battling cancer. I will fight to the bitter end so don’t worry about me, just keep praying for me.” I read that note from him about 100 times. Full of life, laughing all the time at events in our area and now, fighting for that life that he was now living.
What do you say to someone who is battling cancer? I am sorry? Hang in there? Keep your head up? I replied back to him and said, “All I know is how to pray and I will pray fiercely for you.” He sent back a note that read, “That is perfect.”
He has kept up the memes and all the funny things for which he is well known. When Ed the zebra was on the loose in Murfreesboro, no one came close to his memes and posts and you would forget that he is in for the fight of his life. I felt guilty laughing at all of those posts and would tell him that I am still praying and he was still making me laugh.
He told me the other day that the doctors gave him six months to live, four months ago. I said well you never know what lies ahead because miracles happen every second of every single day. He replied back-“I am okay for whenever it comes. God has blessed me beyond belief.”
I asked him if it was okay to share his journey with the readers of this blog and in Main Street Media newspapers all over the state? “I don’t mind at all. This has been my platform to show how God can make any situation a witness for His glory.” I read that again and again. In the midst of this life or death struggle, he tells me that God has blessed him beyond belief. What a testimony.
A few weeks ago he commented on a video I made about living in the present. “Forget yesterday, don’t worry about tomorrow and enjoy today,” is what he sent me almost immediately after I posted that video. He added that time is precious and to use it wisely. Instead most of us use it to fight with strangers on the internet.
Recently, Chris and his wife took a trip around the south that maybe was a goodbye tour or just maybe, places he had not seen in awhile. His smile was wonderful in all of the pictures and you would never know that he is the midst of a battle.
Just keep prayin’ for me, I will be just fine. Yes, Chris Brandon, with your faith and love of Jesus, you certainly will. You show it every single day. You will show it forever.
