The Story of Brad

It’s the end of September. I’m in San Francisco, trying to figure out what life has in store for me, what my purpose is. I’d just gotten back from Burning Man, a transformational festival in the desert. I made some beautiful connections there, and had some powerful moments, but now, it’s ended, and I’m left wondering if any of that meant anything. I’ve just about had enough dealing with society, trying to decipher between what each person is saying through their verbal cues and what they’re truly meaning through their non-verbal ones. So, I bought a ticket to the island of Kaua’i, aiming to get away, clear my mind, maybe do some writing, and maybe, just maybe, get lost, forever.

In Kaua’i, there is only one major highway that connects the whole island together, so to get anywhere, one has to traverse this path full of civilization. Well, if a bunch of land and a car here and there can be considered that. For me, it was, and I wasn’t into it. It would be OK, I thought, since pretty soon, I’d get to my destination (wherever that was, and whatever that meant), and then, I wouldn’t have to worry about any of the people, the cars, or anything really. Just one stop at this hostel right off the freeway to get a breather and repack my bag, and I’d be on my way.

Well, I never continued on my way, because inside the hostel, right by the entrance, I found a friend. I saw the kindest eyes, a beaming smile, and a dude wearing a pair of orange swim trunks on his laptop, playing online poker. It really seemed like he was just waiting for me though, because as soon as I walked into this hostel, trying to get some water, his eyes beamed up. “Hey, man! How are you?!” He asked, in the most authentic way. Like he really wanted to know the answer. It’s 8 AM, and I had just gotten off my flight, so I’m still a little groggy and not ready for this kind of excitement. “I’m OK, man. How are you?” I replied, not expecting a response. To my surprise, did come the response, “Beautiful, bro. This is heaven. The weather is so beautiful. It’s magic out here.” This is how I first met Brad, a wild haired Minnesotan who’d been traveling for quite a while. We talked for a bit (a long bit), and in the process, connected over our passion for online poker, traveling, yoga, sustainable living, and most importantly, photography and videography. He’s so excited to show me his drone footage and his GoPro videos. There are some really good clips of lots of good places, but what captured me the most was this soul’s love for life, spirit of adventure. He’d just lost his drone controller, and he’s a little downbeat about that, because without that, he’s unable to share with the world the travels he’s on. He wants to share his passion for traveling with everyone. I told him that I’m not sure what I’m doing, and I’m looking for some isolation. To my surprise, he mentions this book for me to read. It’s called ‘The Alchemist’ by Paulo Coelho. Astonished, I pull out the book from my backpack, and upon seeing this, Brad lit up. “Dude, we’re meant to be!” He then proceeds to tell me about this yoga festival that’s happening, and introduces me to some of the other yogis that he had just met: Feather, a yoga teacher from Colorado, and Tony, a yoga musician from the great north. We all talk for a little bit, and then, I go off on my own, knowing that I’ll probably be back at some point to this hostel, but maybe not see Brad, Feather, or Tony again. You know, the life of travelers and spontaneous decision making and all.

I was wrong. By that night, I found myself on someone’s boat, a little away from the hostel. Here, I get a message from Brad. “whachu up 2 sir? thinking of getting a cheeky bevvy, you inn?” I chuckle, and tell him that I’m a little far out of the hostel, but I’d love to see him again.

And, we ended up seeing each other, again and again. First, it was the yoga festival, where I ended up walking into, alone. As I’m aimlessly wandering around, I heard a voice, and it was Brad’s. “Ish! We’re going to get acai bowls! Come with us!” This is how we discovered our favorite acai bowl place in Kaua’i, The Coconut Cup. We ended up spending a great day with Feather, Tony, Brielle, Christina, Austin, Jon, and other yogis at the yoga festival. At one point, he and I went for a swim, and he tells me that by the time we’re done, I’m going to be swimming from one beach to another, and that we should start thinking of doing something together, since we have so many things in common. I sense the genuine authenticity and want for connection in his voice, and I finally feel understood and connected. I’d finally found a brother. I tell him how how visible the passion for life is in his voice, and he tells me that it’s a journey for us all, and we can all get to his level. I look at the seahorse pendant around his neck, and I tell him the story about one of my dreams, where I saw a red seahorse, a dream that’s catapulted to question all of my beliefs and what’s eventually led me here. He smiles and tells me that it’s all meant to be. “Maktub” I say out aloud, from ‘The Alchemist’. It means, “it’s written”.

I did end up swimming from one beach to another. And so much more, with Braddie. We hiked all over Kaua’i, watched some beautiful sunsets and sunrises together, had a birthday dinner at a farmhouse (the best birthday party anyone in this world has ever had) with Andres, Julia, Amelie, and Jassy, sang and dance to ‘Flight of the Conchords’, and shared so much of our dreams and ideas. We planned a move to Kaua’i next year, to save up money and build a hostel, and eventually, to sponsor the Aloha Yoga and Peace Festival. Together, him and I were going to make beautiful videos together, and do our best to spread peace and love to the communities surrounding us. Because of Brad, I met the love of my life, Jasmine (who also brought us a controller for the drone, so Braddie could get so much more beautiful footage), found unconditional love and support, and through Brad, I really understood the meaning of community, spontaneity, and pursuing passion and adventure.

His next trip was to Vanuatu. On his last day on the island, we hiked the Grand Canyon of Hawai’i, Waimea Canyon, ate the most delicious thai food from a food truck, stopped by Wal-Mart (and got him a lei), and just rode around the parking lot on those shopping carts. On the way back from Waimea Canyon, we saw the most beautiful sunset. The sun was calling our names, and we also stopped our car in the middle of the road, so we could turn back and see the sunset. There was no one but us, and it seemed like the sun was there, communicating her beauty, just to us. Our whole group just stayed silent as we watched the sun go down. Oh, except for Brad, who got his drone to capture the beauty. During this, we made a pact to come back and follow through on our dreams. I was going to visit him in Minnesota in March on 2019, and then, we planned to go to Burning Man together, and eventually, move to Kaua’i.

After our Wal-mart shenanigans, we serenaded him by playing ‘American Boy’ by Estelle, and he had two cars of friends drop him off at the airport, because he was so popular. He meant the world to us, and we wanted to celebrate Brad and give him a proper farewell from Kaua’i.

Little did I know that was going to be the last time I see my friend. A few weeks later, we discovered that he had Grade IV Glioblastoma, and a few short days later, he had left this body.

I’m still shocked and speechless when I think of not having another chat with this soul, planning our next adventures, getting together with the Kaua’i crew, or just seeing his beaming, joyful face. I know he’s having a blast wherever he is now, and I’m envious of them. My selfish self would’ve loved to kick a little bit more with Braddie, give him massive hugs, and gotten some rides on his back (I hated wearing sandals, and he wouldn’t let me walk on the bare concrete, so he’d just carry me). The other side of me, however, is so grateful to have met this real life angel, who decided to make a cameo in my life, and change it for the best. To Brad, I’m forever grateful, and all I want to say is what I said to him last, “I’ll see you soon, brother. Love you always, and see you on the other side.”