Braxton's Balloon Launch: Until I See You Again!
We are planning a balloon launch to celebrate Braxton and share his story! Everyone is invited to join us Sunday, August 25th at 7:00pm at the Derby Panther Football Stadium. We hope that as the balloons travel the world, they are led by grace to the hands who will read his story and be changed! You can follow us via Twitter by clicking these links: Rob or Alana Kooser (@RobKooser, @AlanaMomOf3Boys).
When you find one of Braxton's balloons, we'd love for you to share your story with us! Click on the button below to tell us where he travelled!
When you find one of Braxton's balloons, we'd love for you to share your story with us! Click on the button below to tell us where he travelled!
My husband and I were on our way home from dinner. As we were crossing k15 down
from Lowes, we saw the balloon floating through the air. My husband noticed there was something attached to the balloon but we thought it was just going to pass us by.
Then right when we got to the other side of the street the balloon suddenly descended down, passed in front of our truck and landed in some trees.
We were curious so we pulled over. I stayed with our children while my husband
made his way to the woods and retrieved the balloon. I am very touched by your
story and my heart breaks for the family and friends of Braxton. God needed
another angel to help watch over everyone from above.
Our deepest condolences,
The Wiseley Family, 2013
I was on a walk with my dogs yesterday evening
when I found this balloon. It was on Washington Ave. in Newton, Kansas. Caught
it as it was floating down about 9:30p.m.
Beautiful young man! I am sure he is missed
but looking down on his amazing family!
Kyline Soller, Newton, KS, 2013
I just wanted you to know that I got the
purple balloon on 8/26. My dog and I were out cleaning the pool and she was
playing with what looked like a ball. When I went to throw it back over into the
yard next door I found the tag. Your website is such a wonderful way to remember
him. I can't imagine what you and your family must be going through, but I lost
my dad three years ago this month. I still cry often and miss him terribly. I
hope that knowing you have touched so many lives thru your message fills you
with peace and strength at this time of sorrow. I will be thinking of you.
Stacie Smith, 2013
I found a balloon! I found a balloon in our flowers in our
front yard! We live across from Bill Snyder Family Stadium and
the balloon had been let off from there by a person by the name of Taite Pulliam.
I was so sorry to hear about Braxton. I read your
stories about him and looked at his pictures. What a great young
man he was and what a great way to carry on his memory. Peace
and Blessings to all of you!
Brenda Schaffer, Manhattan, KS, 2013
I found a balloon.
It didn’t get as far as some I have seen posted. This was in my
back yard on Farmington street in Derby. I noticed it there a couple
days ago, went out to get it this morning. I am so sorry for your
loss. I have followed Braxton’s story, so knew immediately who he
was. I also lost a loved one this year, my husband of 52 years, on March
6, so know some of your pain. I also lost my first husband in an
automobile accident, at age 22. Someone gave me this saying, which we put
on his grave: “The blow was great, the pain severe, little did we
know the end was near. Only those who know, can tell, the pain of parting
without farewell.” God Bless you.
Yvonne Hays, Derby Kansas, 2013
We found the ballon 9/1/13, 6 miles north of Marion Kansas in a
pasture while feeding cows. Our prayers go out to you and your family.
Marty Kroupa, 2013
I live by QUIVIRA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, which is
in northwest Reno Co. or northeast Stafford Co. I was in my tractor
working my field, getting it ready to plant wheat. I was turning
around at the end of the field and I seen this purple ribbon lying on
the ground with something on the end of it. So I thought for second
about it and decided to stop and see what it was. I read it and my
heart feels so sorry for your family. All the pictures of Braxton seems as
if he was having so much fun in life. Our thoughts and prayers go out to
your family. We wish you all the best in the days ahead.
Todd Miller, 2013
While out checking gas wells noticed the purple streamer with a picture on side
of lease road in the middle of a pasture. Curious so I backed up to read
what was on it when I seen the story. Sorry for y'all's loss. I feel blessed for
finding it. On the back is 'will see you later buddy'.
James Hall, Fairfield, TX, 2015
As I stood waiting for the school bus this morning with my
five year old daughter, I seen something beautiful and purple (my favorite color)
in my fence roll. We ran to retrieve it and lucky us it was Braxton's balloon!
I've read his story and will tell everyone I know about him! God Bless and
my thoughts and prayers are with you!
Toni Henderson, Elkton, KY, 2017
from Lowes, we saw the balloon floating through the air. My husband noticed there was something attached to the balloon but we thought it was just going to pass us by.
Then right when we got to the other side of the street the balloon suddenly descended down, passed in front of our truck and landed in some trees.
We were curious so we pulled over. I stayed with our children while my husband
made his way to the woods and retrieved the balloon. I am very touched by your
story and my heart breaks for the family and friends of Braxton. God needed
another angel to help watch over everyone from above.
Our deepest condolences,
The Wiseley Family, 2013
I was on a walk with my dogs yesterday evening
when I found this balloon. It was on Washington Ave. in Newton, Kansas. Caught
it as it was floating down about 9:30p.m.
Beautiful young man! I am sure he is missed
but looking down on his amazing family!
Kyline Soller, Newton, KS, 2013
I just wanted you to know that I got the
purple balloon on 8/26. My dog and I were out cleaning the pool and she was
playing with what looked like a ball. When I went to throw it back over into the
yard next door I found the tag. Your website is such a wonderful way to remember
him. I can't imagine what you and your family must be going through, but I lost
my dad three years ago this month. I still cry often and miss him terribly. I
hope that knowing you have touched so many lives thru your message fills you
with peace and strength at this time of sorrow. I will be thinking of you.
Stacie Smith, 2013
I found a balloon! I found a balloon in our flowers in our
front yard! We live across from Bill Snyder Family Stadium and
the balloon had been let off from there by a person by the name of Taite Pulliam.
I was so sorry to hear about Braxton. I read your
stories about him and looked at his pictures. What a great young
man he was and what a great way to carry on his memory. Peace
and Blessings to all of you!
Brenda Schaffer, Manhattan, KS, 2013
I found a balloon.
It didn’t get as far as some I have seen posted. This was in my
back yard on Farmington street in Derby. I noticed it there a couple
days ago, went out to get it this morning. I am so sorry for your
loss. I have followed Braxton’s story, so knew immediately who he
was. I also lost a loved one this year, my husband of 52 years, on March
6, so know some of your pain. I also lost my first husband in an
automobile accident, at age 22. Someone gave me this saying, which we put
on his grave: “The blow was great, the pain severe, little did we
know the end was near. Only those who know, can tell, the pain of parting
without farewell.” God Bless you.
Yvonne Hays, Derby Kansas, 2013
We found the ballon 9/1/13, 6 miles north of Marion Kansas in a
pasture while feeding cows. Our prayers go out to you and your family.
Marty Kroupa, 2013
I live by QUIVIRA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, which is
in northwest Reno Co. or northeast Stafford Co. I was in my tractor
working my field, getting it ready to plant wheat. I was turning
around at the end of the field and I seen this purple ribbon lying on
the ground with something on the end of it. So I thought for second
about it and decided to stop and see what it was. I read it and my
heart feels so sorry for your family. All the pictures of Braxton seems as
if he was having so much fun in life. Our thoughts and prayers go out to
your family. We wish you all the best in the days ahead.
Todd Miller, 2013
While out checking gas wells noticed the purple streamer with a picture on side
of lease road in the middle of a pasture. Curious so I backed up to read
what was on it when I seen the story. Sorry for y'all's loss. I feel blessed for
finding it. On the back is 'will see you later buddy'.
James Hall, Fairfield, TX, 2015
As I stood waiting for the school bus this morning with my
five year old daughter, I seen something beautiful and purple (my favorite color)
in my fence roll. We ran to retrieve it and lucky us it was Braxton's balloon!
I've read his story and will tell everyone I know about him! God Bless and
my thoughts and prayers are with you!
Toni Henderson, Elkton, KY, 2017
POEMS SHARED AT THE BALLOON LAUNCH
YOU NEVER SAID I’M LEAVING
You never said I’m leaving
You never said good-bye
You were gone before I knew it
And only God knows why.
A million times we’ve needed you,
A million times we’ve cried.
If love alone could’ve saved you,
You never would have died.
In life we loved you dearly,
In death we love you still.
In our hearts you hold a place,
No one else will ever fill.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
But you didn’t go alone.
Part of us went with you,
The day God took you home.
Hannah Jimenez, January 26, 2013
"One Friday night on a winters day, five of Gods angels came out
to play. As they rode home on that night, something happened that didn't seem
right. They tried to run, the wrestled with fate, to try and save their friend
that day. But God already had a plan.
He needed a warrior, a brave, strong man. He wanted him bad, He fought,
and He won. He chose Braxton, his fellow son. As selfish as it all may seem,
inevitably, God needed him on his team. He grabbed him by the hands and took him
away, but Braxton wasn't scared, he knew he'd see us all again one day. To
heaven he went, he was greeted with cheers, for now their new warrior was near."
YOU NEVER SAID I’M LEAVING
You never said I’m leaving
You never said good-bye
You were gone before I knew it
And only God knows why.
A million times we’ve needed you,
A million times we’ve cried.
If love alone could’ve saved you,
You never would have died.
In life we loved you dearly,
In death we love you still.
In our hearts you hold a place,
No one else will ever fill.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
But you didn’t go alone.
Part of us went with you,
The day God took you home.
Hannah Jimenez, January 26, 2013
"One Friday night on a winters day, five of Gods angels came out
to play. As they rode home on that night, something happened that didn't seem
right. They tried to run, the wrestled with fate, to try and save their friend
that day. But God already had a plan.
He needed a warrior, a brave, strong man. He wanted him bad, He fought,
and He won. He chose Braxton, his fellow son. As selfish as it all may seem,
inevitably, God needed him on his team. He grabbed him by the hands and took him
away, but Braxton wasn't scared, he knew he'd see us all again one day. To
heaven he went, he was greeted with cheers, for now their new warrior was near."