Nothing Makes Sense ..

There was a young man..his name is Brandon Hydrick. I tell you his name because when you read this post I want you to say his name to yourself and think of him for that split second. He was 26 - and a victim of a senseless murder early yesterday morning.

Brandon's death hit too close to our home. Just hours earlier he was laughing, sitting around a bonfire at a private camp area back in the fields, enjoying a beautiful night with his brother, Ryan, and my youngest son, Brandon, his girlfriend and several other close friends. After everyone left my son drove off first; thinking her took the wrong road at the "Y", he called back to Hydrick and Ryan, as he could still see their truck in the field getting ready to leave. My Brandon was going to turn around and follow them out but Hydrick told him to keep going and he would be okay on the road he was on. Shortly there after Hydrick and his brother encountered a man in the middle of the road with an AK-47. The guy lived in the middle of the "Y" - fork in the road. He blocked the side to freedom, forcing Ryan to drive down the dead end road. They turned around at the dead end, as they sped past him, the man shot at the vehicle, through the tailgate into the cab of their truck, killing Brandon Hydrick with a bullet to his back.

As parents Rich and I feel guilty for being grateful that our Brandon didn't turn around...he kept going just like Hydrick told him to do. It would be almost 8 hours later that my Brandon would learn from a phone call from a police investigator what happened behind him on that dark country road.

Brandon Hydrick has been a part of our lives and family for 12-13 years. Best friend to all of my children, at  most events..even at the hospital when Evie was born. We all loved him and grieve his loss. Our hearts are broken for his family....our hearts break for my children and nieces that struggle to make sense of this tragedy.

Please say his name in prayer for all who loved him.

Brandon Hydrick.