A
year ago this evening, May 4, 2012, Adam Yauch - better known as MCA of the
Beastie Boys - died in New York of a head and neck cancer. Brandon learned of
it the next day, May 5, which was exactly four weeks before Brandon's own death
of head and neck cancer as it turned out, and he posted the following...
“So sorry to hear about MCA. Anybody who
knows me knows The Beasties are my favorite. From what I hear you fought very
bravely against your cancer.
“Hopefully I can be as brave as
you.
“Gotta change my profile pic out
of respect.”
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| MCA Day Facebook page - Father's Day 2012 |
Last
year a few fans organized the MCA Day held in New York City several
weeks after Adam Yauch's death. To honor the Hip Hop star and spread the word
about MCA Day, they developed a Facebook page. Somehow I found their page
after Brandon's death and saw a photo that had been posted of Yauch holding his daughter, Tenzin
Losel. The vise surrounding my heart clenched, and I contacted the administrator via the personal Message
"button." I told them about Brandon's love of the Beastie Boys and
his battle with the same disease. I attached the self-photo of Brandon wearing
his favorite Beastie Boys t-shirt that he'd taken and posted as his Facebook
profile pic on May 5th. I explained that Brandon also had to leave a young
daughter and that he would not be here to celebrate his first Father's Day the following Sunday.
On
Father's Day I received this reply to my Message. “Our thoughts go out to your
family and especially Morgan today. We are very sorry for your loss. Take a
look at the wall today on our page. Today we pay respect to Brandon.”
Posted on the MCA Day page was the side-by-side photo of Brandon's Facebook
profile pic and Adam Yauch holding his daughter. It was a beautiful way to
honor Brandon on his first Father’s Day.
Several
cities across the USA held MCA Day on this first anniversary of Adam Yauch’s
death. In Chicago, Brandon’s brother Joe was invited to talk about Brandon and
the Foundation we’ve established in his memory to raise funds for the research
that will cure these head and neck cancers. She’s Crafty, the female Beastie
Boys tribute band sponsoring MCA Day Chicago, is donating some of the proceeds
to Brandon’s Foundation, which is another beautiful way to honor Brandon.
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| Brandon's brother Joe at MCA Day Chicago 2013 |
Brandon
and Adam Yauch never met during their earthly lives, yet they shared a special journey. I’m
grateful Brandon was able to find a mentor in how to live and die in Adam
Yauch.
Weeks
after Brandon’s June 2nd death, I found an interview with MCA's fellow
Beastie Boys Michael Diamond (AKA Mike D) who said something about Adam’s
Yauch’s last weeks. His words rang so true. I read his quote and thought of Brandon’s
last months, weeks and days during which he continued to joke, continued to
think of others, continued to plan for the future, even as his body continued
to fail him. Mike D said of his long-time friend Adam Yauch “He had us fooled
in the most beautiful way.”
I
cannot imagine a more perfect way to state it. Brandon had us all "fooled in the
most beautiful way." And what a gift that was.
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