An Optimistic Sky | The Story of Bryan William Stewart
Somehow, Bryan always got the most number and highest quality gifts for
Christmas, even when we made a conscious effort to balance it out with what
Angela and Jennifer received. I recall that when we would go out and buy
Christmas gifts for Angela and Jennifer and Bryan we would specifically
attempt to balance the gifts out. Even though we made specific attempts to
do that it seems year after year that Bryan always got more toys and things
that anyone else.
Bryan was always a little quirky, I'm sure it can be said that we're all a
little quirky in one way or another but Bryan was comically quirky. A very
good example of his qwirkiiness was the time that he walked home from
Brewster Middle School in Camp LeJeune, only to realize or, have his mom
realize that he left his bicycle at school. I recall the story that Susie
told, when she saw Bryan walking up she said, hey Bryan where is your
bicycle? As I recall the story, he paused, thought about it and said oh,
almost in a Homer Simpson voice (duuuuuhooooo!) I left it at school.
I'm sure that no one really likes using public restrooms and I'll have to
admit as a caveat or disclaimer to the story that I'm pretty particular
about what stall and what bathroom I use but again I presume most people are
like that. Bryan was very particular about not wanting to use the bathroom
at school. That of course was fine, but on the back end, so to speak he
would literally running in the door after school and head well, you know
where…
Our Relationship
- In a very real sense Bryan was my one and possibly only confidant.
We would talk endlessly about various topics to include, of course sports,
media and comparison of the media ministries between Believer's Life Family
Church and Jesse Duplantis ministries. Bryan, of course really loved and was
very proud of working for Dr. Duplantis. As I said in the memorial Bryan
used always tell me Brother Jesse stories. Bryan was amazed at how ‘down to
earth’ and personable Dr. Duplantis was considering his level of spiritual
and earthly success.
I would confide in Bryan about other things including how his mom, (of
course I love her without reservation) would from time to time, drive me
crazy… On more than one occasion Bryan would, in wisdom far beyond his years
give me sage advice to include, most often ‘hey dad calm down it will be
OK’…
I choose to work on taking that advice and live with it the rest of my life. Thank you
son for being a confidant and a friend, I really will calm down. Thanks for
taking time out of your very busy schedule as an adult to re-invest in me.
I often told you that I value your time and appreciate you spending time
with me. I owe you the rest of my life.
As I sit, study, edit (or should I say hack) on footage while in your room at home, I reminisce and feel your presence. I received a huge compliment from Pastor Randy Cilluffo in September of 2018. We had an awesome service Sunday August 26th. The message was “Winning the War Within (6). The Spirit of God moved after the service, during the altar call. We did a pretty good job capturing and editing the service. Pastor Randy complimented the production from a videography standpoint and said that I must have received the anointing from Bryan.
I value that compliment. That speaks to the Bryan vicariously living through me.