Brad met Kyndal in 1996 while attending elementary school in Kingwood, Texas. They became best friends quickly. Brad and Kyndal were together constantly, including playing baseball and soccer on the same teams, until our return to Virginia in 2000. Even though our move to Virginia separated them, Brad and Kyndal continued stay in touch through out the following years. Summer trips were planned so the boys could get together. Brad would fly out to Texas as soon as school was out in Virginia. His return flight most always was changed so he could stay longer than initially planned. Brad loved Texas, but more than that, he loved Kyndal. Kyndal wrote this poem in the fall of 2004. He didn’t tell anyone about it. Kyndal’s mom found it among his school papers. The poem captures Brad and Kyndal’s unique relationship from the beginning of the friendship, to the end of Brad’s life.

CARELESS AND FREE   We were young and restless we were careless and free like mustangs on the prairie like two fish in the sea Together we fought our battles and grow from boys to men Together we climbed our mountains and together we would descend One day from a hill top he had to say goodbye against both our wishes far away he was to fly We knew it wasn't over with phones & e-mails to send cause friendship doesn't come and go Best friends are friends to the end. We talked almost every week sharing stories of girls and cars we met each summer either here or there and compared our battle scars It was like he had never left till it came to summer's end and once again we climbed a mountain in which he wouldn't descend Yes, that day from a hill top my friend had to say good-bye this time he wouldn't be coming back from his journey beyond the sky How would I ever manage not even a letter to send I only want to say 'Hello' 'How ya doing my very best friend' Every day that passes I remember what a joy he was to know But I don't understand at such a young age why God had to pick him to go I know for a fact when the time has come and I've reached my journey's end I'll spread my wings like an eagle and fly to see him again Yes, one day from a hill top I'll tell this world good-bye as I fly to a distant land where I'll never want to cry I'll see those who had died and left me on Earth so sad and over in the corner with a smile on his face will be my Best Friend Brad.