Whoever really fits in, if their honest with everyone around
them 100% of the time? Each individual
has idiosyncrasies, it is just some are more obvious than others. And yet, so
many form who they What happens to those who feel flawed inside,
willing to admit it and yet are unaccepted because of it? What damage is done to these individuals in
society? Are they embraced or belittled?
Dan was adopted at the age of 10 days old to a military
family stationed in Texas. It was a working couple unable to have children
excited to have a child. He was a cute Hispanic boy with no health
problems. He lived a normal childhood,
attending private elementary school, raised in a Christian family, an avid
basketball player and known for being more of an introvert. Friday nights were known as Pizza night at
the Bronold’s house.
Dan, in some ways, is no different than so many other young
men’s stories of today. Constant pressure to fit in, doubts about being loved
based on knowing a mother gave him up as a baby and then being belittled for
other attributes others saw as short comings.
Within his family, he was given love, support and direction.
What he chose was to listen to the doubts he had and the wrong crowd labeling
him with negative connotations verses how his family was trying to bring him
up. He became misguided as he was pulled towards the wrong crowd encouraging
him as they were more accepting of him and he was sensitive to wanting
acceptance. Thus began a spiral of ups
with more downs.
Dan’s life of 33 years touched many. At a Celebration of Life, in a room
overflowing, people were there of all walks of life, all ages to celebrate the
goodness of a man, his contribution, his hardships and his laughter. He had a
father who spoke of all the memories of a child and a man that brought goodness
in the world and not of a hateful person or one that was worthy of being
outcast because people didn’t understand Dan’s differences.
The sadness in the large ballroom that day was over what was
lost, all that Dan could have been.
There were memories everyone there could have shared and were never
going to experience. Expressed by some in small circles were the persecution he
suffered for far too many years. There was also disappointment felt that day
that he had given up on himself, feeling his value was so low that he made the
decision to make poor choices when his value was so high. Everyone was committed
to making his life continue to have far greater purpose and let Dan know
putting others down will never win in the end.
Flawed human beings are all of us, they are you, me, they
are the ones you will never meet. The lessons of Dan’s life is continuing to
impact countless human beings, most of all those that knew him, loved him and
spent time with him or heard his story. His memorial fund, The Dan Bronold
Memorial Fund helps teens at risk every year change directions and families
know acceptance matters. Everyone who hears his story recognizes bad choices
can be corrected if caught early and if left alone, have dire consequences. Time
putting others down is wrong on every level; it does not make the world a
better place. It ruins lives and destroys futures. It is not something seen or
heard or felt on the outside but deeps impacts the inside of an individual. It erodes emotionally a person’s self-worth. It has a far reaching destruction; ugly
words can be catastrophic yet are so callously thrown around these days in schools, work places and yes even by adults in social settings and neighborhoods. In the meantime, thousands of adults sit around blaming youth for hate and meanness in society.
Acceptance of the flaws of others is mandatory for a
civilization to prosper well and have kindness and authenticity. Dan now knows
his flaws were designed by God. Don't wait till it is too late to learn this lesson. When you find yourself the butt of gossip by
others for being less than perfect, remember you are perfectly flawed and not
hopeless. Know they are flawed also, simply unwilling to share it or admit it, just feel perhaps more arrogant to put down yours. Know that there is an angel in heaven named Dan with a smirk on his
face 😂. Those of us that knew Dan well remember
it clearly; he is looking down on you that are slightly out of step with encouragement to move
forward with your life with unbridled passion!
- If you would like to donate to the Dan Bronold Memorial Fund, please send to:
Midcourse Correction Camp
Attn: Dan Bronold Memorial Fund
833 E. Grand River Ave
Howell, MI 48843
E. Grand River Ave. Howell, Michigan 43833 E. Grand River Ave. Howell, Michigan 48843
E. Grand River Ave. Howell, Michigan 43833 E. Grand River Ave. Howell, Michigan 48843
