This memorial website was created in the memory of our Grandson, Son, Brother, Nephew, and Friend Braden Erickson who was born in Palmer, Alaska on February 19, 1992 and passed away on May 20, 2005 . We miss him terribly and will remember him forever.
His family is convinced that he died engaging a particularly lethal type of risky behavior. It is known as "The Choking Game", "Pass Out". "American Dream", "Flatliner", "Space Monkey" and various other names. Kids have been participating in this activity for generations. Frequently, deaths caused by this game are mislabeled as suicides by the authorities. Kids believe it is a safe activity. Obviously, that is not true. The weapon in the campaign to stop these deaths is information. Most adults have no idea that their children are doing this. For more information about this lethal activity, go to www.stop-the-choking-game.com
NEW!!
If anyone would like a "Stop the Choking Game" bracelet in memory of Braden, request one from the site administrator, Lyndi Trost including a mailing address.
Click link to view In Loving Memory of Braden Euqene Erickson. This video was created by Denise Bruckner, Austin Bruckner's Mom. Austin also died participating in the "Choking Game" Thanks so much, Denise.
He was such a sweet, funny, loving, intelligent generous person just undergoing the transition from boy to young man. He had started wearing cologne but he still slept with his little brown stuffed bunny. He had endless patience when it came to something he really wanted to do. Fishing for example, or stalking dragon flies or lizards.
He had many friends in Alaska, on the island of Maui where he lived with his family for two years, and in Tolleson, Arizona where he and his family had lived for the past two years. He kept in touch with his friends in Alaska and Maui.
Braden loved life and he loved all of God's creatures. He had a special affinity for reptiles and was the proud owner of a ball python named Squeeze, a monitor lizard and another smaller snake. The family also has a black toy poodle and a pot bellied pig both of which Braden played with and helped to care for.
Braden was born on February 19, 1992. His little brother, Jesse was born on February 20, 2002, ten years and one day later. Braden thought of Jess as his birthday present and watched over him like a guardian angel. Jess misses him so!! He has told his Mom he doesn't want Brady to be in heaven any more. He wants him to come home.
Shortly before he died, Braden used his Birthday money to pay for some of his friends to get into a dance at school. He was always willing to share whatever he had with others. He would not stand by and watch a bully torment a smaller or weaker child, and he would not back down from a bully.
The ongoing theme in all of the letters his family received from his friends and classmates after his death was that he made everyone laugh. He had an off-the-wall sense of humor. which he used to brighten the world around him. The outpouring of affection for him was amazing. His classmates organized a car wash. His teachers purchased and delivered to his family a package of school pictures which he had not yet picked up. His friends in Tolleson and Wasilla had tee shirts made in his honor and wore them to school. There was standing room only at his service. Several of his classmates spoke. The school that he attended in Kehei, Maui sent two fresh flower leis.
Hey buddy / Diante Wayne ((His friend) )
Hey Braden!
School had just started about a couple months ago. You could have been a senior this year. It would've been awesome if you were here. You can make a lot friends really fast. They'll even think you're ...
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Hi Sweet heart / Auntie Tammi
I miss you I still think about you everyday and wonder what you would be like. How much different you would now. I love you very much and my heart will always be broken.
Love you always and forever
Aunt Tammi
Your 5th Anniversary :( / Diante Wayne ((Friend))
Hey Braden,
Last week was a sad day for me. Two years you were in my life and four years you 've been gone. These days are so hard. Everything changed since you left. New stores were build and new movies are playing in theaters. A...
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your still making friends / Alyssa Burbridge (his brothers girlfriend )
hey there :). well did not get the chance to know you personally, in fact i didnt know anybody in your family as of 4 years ago, but your family has made such a big impression on me now, especially your brother kent, that i thought it time i pl...
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4 Years have gone by / Gramma Lyndi
Hope you enjoyed the messages we sent you today. All 17 baloons flew west this year instead of going east. Bailey, Connor, Jesse, Larry, Kent, Alyssa, your Mom and I released them out by your fountain in the back yard. Al, Gra...
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Bet HEAVEN don't have anymore Lizards!! / Jim Hudson (a friend )Read >>
I know you feel this is the first Christmas without me,
And all these Christmas decorations you can’t stand to see._
I know you keep asking God “why?”,
I also know you sometimes late at night you lay in your bed and cry.
I know this will be hard but there are some things I need you to do for me,
This Christmas do a little make-believe.
I want you to smile, when you want to cry,
I want you to live, even when you feel like you want to die.
When your heart has no song, I still want you to sing,
When your hands don’t feel like cooking,
I want to make that sweet potato pie to bring.
I want you to laugh when the kids sing Jingle Bells,
And I want you to get your Christmas cards done and mailed.
I know this seems like a lot to ask of you,
But in return this is what I will do.
I will be there to wrap my arms around you when you are down,
I will make sure you hear a joke to make you smile instead of frown.
I will help you remember the words to even the hardest Christmas song,
But most of all, I will help you understand that Heaven is where I truly belong.
So this Christmas season, I’ll still be there,
I will be the cold wind that blows you hair.
I will be in the twinkle in the lights on your Christmas tree,
I will be in the sound of the children’s voice as they sing,
And I will be in the giggle you hear when they open the gifts you bring.
I’ll be in the scent of Christmas dinner in the air,
And when you feel that special “warmth” you’ll know I am there.
So this isn’t the first Christmas without me,
Just look around and there I will be……..
Rachel
__._,_.___
The Cord
Author Unkown
The Cord
We are connected My child and I, by An invisible cord Not seen by the eye
It's not like the cord That connects us "till Birth" This cord can't be seen By any on Earth
This cord does its' work Right from the start It binds us together Attached to my heart
I know that it's there Though no one can see The invisible cord From my child to me
The strength of this cord Is hard to describe It can't be destroyed It can't be denied
It's stronger than any cord Man could create It withstands the test Can hold any weight
And though you are gone Though you're not here with me The cord is still there But no one can see It pulls at my heart I am bruised… I am sore But this cord is my lifeline As never before
I am thankful that God Connects us this way A mother and child Death can't take it away!
Letter To Mom by Joy Curnutt Mom, please don't feel guilty
It was just my time to go.
I see you are still feeling sad,
And the tears just seem to flow.
We all come to earth for our lifetime,
And for some it's not many years
I don't want you to keep crying
You are shedding so many tears.
I haven't really left you
Even though it may seem so.
I have just gone to my heavenly home,
And I'm closer to you than you know.
Just believe that when you say my name
I'm standing next to you,
I know you long to see me,
But there's nothing I can do.
But I'll still send you messages
And hope you understand,
That when your time comes to "cross over,"
I'll be there to take your hand.
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