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from John Jr. Wednesday, March 28, 2007 - 08:20 (Agree/Disagree?) Click http://abe-braaten.memory-of.com/ and light a candle for Abe/Abu if you'd like. (reply to this comment)

from Baxter Wednesday, March 28, 2007 - 04:43 (Agree/Disagree?) I will remember him in the manner in which his image is imbued in my mind: as a very angry young man. I remember him from my time at Greenfields, and the JSC. Those of you who knew either of us, or were at either home when we were there, will know that we were VERY different young men. In retrospect, I sometimes think that it is not unfair to think that the only thing we had in common was our anger, although I didn't realise it at the time. He was naturally athletic, born with natural ability, as well as the kind of physique that men spend years trying to develop. I was the resident bookworm, probably well on the way to developing into the sociopathic loner that I am now (I jest, but not lightly). We argued a lot, and there were times when we thought we hated each other (before I really came to understand the meaning of the word). He seemed at that time to be effortlessly cool, while I never got on with anyone, not even the people I was supposed to be friends with. I did not pay extra attention to his rebellion, his acts of defiance against the status quo, and I was not equipped at that time to understand the significance of his behaviour. For me, the news of his death made me feel a kind of hollowness. I cannot describe it as sorrow or grief, and in truth I have never felt that in relation to any death, no matter how close the demised. But somehow it was strange to imagine a world that continued without Steven(Abu) in it. That probably sounds exagerative, nevertheless it is how I felt. In my memory he was one of those people who seemed larger than life, for whom death seemed inapropriate. Remember that I speak from the perspective of someone who was very much the near-exact opposite of him, in almost every way. It's strange the way people effect your life without you fully realising it, and I wouldn't have admitted this when I originally heard of his death. (reply to this comment)

from v Wednesday, March 28, 2007 - 01:18 (Agree/Disagree?) I'm sorry for your pain, Sean. Perhaps in time you'll be able to live life, and love it, for him, as I'm sure he'd want it. There's too much weeping in the world already. (reply to this comment)

from rainy Wednesday, March 28, 2007 - 01:04 (Agree/Disagree?) I loved him very much. Steven as I knew him, and later Abe. So observant of everyone. Nobody was beneath him. He knew the names of every little child in the groups in that monstrosity of a 'home'. They were thrilled when they saw him coming, he'd smile, laugh, and perform for them. Abu. I will never forget. (reply to this comment)

From Phoenixkidd Wednesday, March 28, 2007, 07:18 (Agree/Disagree?) He really was wonderful with children, they loved him so much. I don't remember him as the angry man but he really came into his own at around age 15. We lived in Okinawa together for 3 short months, but it was one of the best times of my life. He was so energetic and enthused about everything and did possess that body and sports ability that every teenager wishes they had. I met him right before I left the cult at Greenfields on a short visit. He said he had to return to the family and that he tried a job in the system and it left him bored. Poor guy had he stayed out he may have never have left us the way he did. Abu you are still missed so much. Your friend. (reply to this comment)

From rainy Wednesday, March 28, 2007, 13:03 (Agree/Disagree?) I felt so sad for him at GF because he had broken his back at some point and wasn't allowed to play basketball. Weirdly, they still put him on the dance team.(reply to this comment)