Tribute to Breckin

Tribute to Breckin

It’s hard to find the right words when you are brokenhearted. This past weekend we lost a wonderful young man to a terrible accident. Breckin Muzzy was taken from us way too early. We are not good at handling the death of anyone, but it seems all the more difficult when we lose someone so young. To Sean, Wendy, and Brody, we want to surround you with love and support while you process the unimaginable.

Reading through over 150 comments people have left on Facebook for the family, I have been deeply moved by the lives Breckin touched in his short time on earth. Everyone who knew him felt connected to him in some special way. My time with him was the same. I had the pleasure of working with him at Palmetto Scholars Academy before he left to attend the South Carolina Governor’s School of Science and Math. The last time I spoke with him, he was trying to get me to consider a position at GSSM. It meant the world to me that he took the time to come to talk to me about it.

One word keeps coming to mind when I think of Breckin. Gentle. He was truly a gentleman. We sometimes inaccurately equate gentleness with weakness. On the contrary, Breckin exemplified strength through his gentle manner and how he put people at ease in his calm and peaceful way. Several other students have mentioned how he made them feel heard and seen. He had a way of bringing out the best in others through his soft-spoken manner.

The world is a little dimmer today because of the loss of Breckin’s bright presence. His intelligence, sense of humor, and genuine compassion for others were just a few of the wonderful things about this amazing young man. It is on us to carry on where he left off. We need to listen a little more intently, we need to laugh more heartily, and we need to be gentler and more caring with those around us because he would have. And whenever he crosses our minds, let his smile bring one to our face and warm our hearts.