IT WAS just a red Jeep, but it was a vehicle for healing and processing grief for two Shelbyville families. It was a symbol of celebration of a well-lived life, and for Carson Brandon, it was a reminder that his friend, Duran Shavers, would not get to honor his promise of a ride in it. But Carson, who is on the autism spectrum, had an idea when he got the sad news that his friend had passed away.
Carson said, “I love you, Mr. Shavers. We never got to go ride in the Jeep, but maybe the other Mr. Shavers can take me!”
While Carson didn’t understand much about death and grief, he understood friendship perfectly, thanks to Mr. Shavers.
Good friends tend to share common interests, but what would a senior adult and a child on the autism spectrum have in common? When Mr. Shavers substituted in Carson’s first grade child development center class at Southside Elementary School one day, they connected instantly. Students designed special boxes to hold their Valentine’s Day treats, and Carson’s television box sparked conversation. Over the years to come, the two compared the size of their TVs and discussed their favorite shows.
Mr. Shavers understood the importance of mentoring young boys.
His son, “the other Mr. Shavers,” said, “He loved kids. He was a Boy Scout as a teenager and a Boy Scout leader for close to 50 years. We would take in other Scouters during Boy Scout camp, and sometimes they would have special needs, and it didn’t bother him a bit.”
As best friends do, Mr. Shavers stayed in contact with Carson, attended his birthday parties and special events, and saw him at school. The last time the two were together was at a Shining Stars pageant. Carson kept asking his mom if Mr. Shavers was coming, and she said when he walked through the door, Carson’s face lit up like it was the brightest shining face ever. She thinks Mr. Shavers’ face was the same way.
The lifetime Scout’s dedication and positive influence on the boyhood lives of so many was evident at his funeral.
The other Mr. Shavers said, “There were Boy Scouts at the funeral I never knew existed, and I was in Boy Scouts all my years growing up. And when the associate pastor spoke, he mentioned heroes, and it just struck me that my dad was a hero.”
Carson seconds that wholeheartedly and can show you Mr. Shavers’ picture on his hero board, a bulletin board in his room with photos of his heroes. It was the first place he went when his mom told him his friend had passed away.
There was no hesitation when the Shavers family heard about the promise to Carson. Carson would get his ride.
It was a ride they’ll never forget, filled with remembering and honoring all that was important in Mr. Shavers’ life and the friends’ shared moments.
“We rode around places where Dad would fish and hunt and some of the places that he and Carson talked about. Carson wanted to see the churches he had been to, and then I took him by where I grew up, over on Shadow Drive. I asked if he was hungry, so we went to Burger King. We had a good little ride,” the other Mr. Shavers said.
Carson agreed. “Mama,” he said, “I bet my best friend is smiling big, and I bet he’s proud of me and his son, Bubba!”
The Jeep continues to represent the special friendship.
Carson’s mom, Heather Brandon, said, “I knew the Jeep was going to be sold after Carson took his ride in it, so I told Carson when he came home that he wouldn’t get to ride in it anymore. He got so upset. But [the other Mr. Shavers and his family] gave Carson a diecast red Jeep just like Mr. Shavers’ Jeep, and that Jeep sits under the table in the living room. That’s his and Mr. Shavers’ Jeep, and he pretends they go riding in it every day.”
Carson said, “I want to tell everyone that Mr. Shavers was the best friend to me. He loved watching TV, and he loved me, and I love and miss him! The other Mr. Shavers, Mr. Bubba, I know makes Mr. Shavers so proud up in heaven for taking me in the Jeep. It was the best day of my whole life. The only thing that would have made it better is if Mr. Shavers would have been with me and Mr. Bubba. I just miss him!”
Indeed Mr. Shavers was with them on their ride. GN
