Eleven-year-old Brandon was adopted by Brandy Bakke when he was just a boy, but by the time he was old enough to ask about his biological dad, he had passed.
Brandy Bakke, told Today that she knew about Brandon’s biological mom but had to do some digging to find information on his biological dad. Once she got in contact with Brandon’s biological sister, Tiffany, through Facebook, she learned that Brandon’s father passed away at the age of 56 from an asthma attack.
Bakke asked Tiffany is she would take Brandon to visit their dad’s grave in Chicago, and she agreed, but warned that nothing is marking their father’s grave because the family couldn’t afford a monument. This made Brandon somber, and he told TODAY, “When I found out my dad’s grave didn’t have a stone, I got really sad and thought if I did something for him, he’d be proud.” So a couple of days later, he came to his mom with $175 he earned moving lawns and when she told him it was going to be more than that, he said that he was willing to work harder.
Bakke says, “My husband and I were very proud of him and were going to support him in any way we could to help make it happen.” After taking up other jobs in addition to mowing lawns, Brandon ended up raising $400. Bakke then called a gravestone company to ask about pricing, and once she shared the family’s story, they decided to provide one at no cost.
They even let Brandon design it himself! “I asked Tiffany about my dad since I didn’t know him and she said he was always helping people and loved to cook,” Brandon said. “After she said that, I knew exactly what I wanted to put on there.” Brandon chose a design of a heart and two hands holding a bowl of soup to signify his dad feeding the homeless, and on Oct. 20, they family placed it on his father’s grave.
Over a dozen biological family members showed up, and “it was a very emotional day for Brandon,” Bakke said. “As much as he loved meeting his biological family, who are all kind, wonderful and supportive, it saddened him to know he’ll never meet his dad.” After spending time with his biological and adopted family, Brandon became so inspired by the outpour of love, that he started a lawn mowing and snow removal business called “Mowing and Blowing for a Purpose.”
The majority of the money he makes will go towards a memorial stone fund he set up to help families honor their lost loved ones, even if they can’t afford it. Brandon’s mission is to “make sure nobody goes unknown in life.” “I always wanted to meet my dad and wish I could’ve before he died,” Brandon told TODAY. “I know he would’ve loved to meet me and would be proud to call me his son.”
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[Featured Image Credit: Brandy Bakke/TODAY.com]
Boy Mows Lawns All Summer To Buy Gravestone For Father He Never Knew is an article from: LifeDaily