Kirsten Michelle Braunagel

For those who don't know me, Kirsten is my baby sister. While thinking about how to describe Kirsten and my relationship, I could only think of one way to describe it: ""Kirsten was my biggest fan"". She looked up to me the way that a little sister should look up to her big brother. I remember during elementary school numerous times that she would find me after school yelling for me. I remember thinking: ""uh-oh, what kinda of trouble has she gotten me into this time?"" Normally, she would tell me that she had told some boy in her class that I could beat him in a foot race, and she would ask me to race him. Fortunately, being 4 years older than Kirsten, I was always usually able to outrun the smaller kids she would match me up against. Another story stands out in my mind. I can remember when I was in High School, my parents and Kirsten attended every soccer game I ever played in. I can remember numerous times being on the field and hearing these roaring voices over the rest of the crowd cheering me on. I think my Dad and Kirsten were always competing to see who was loudest and I think Kirsten normally won. I remember thinking to myself, ""how can my little sister have such an incredibly load voice?!""…….now I clearly understand why……She was my biggest fan…she looked up to me. Kirsten, I want to apologize. Our relationship has not been as strong recently as I wish it could have been. Sometimes, it was hard to me to relate to the pain and suffering you were experiencing….for that I am deeply sorry. I hope you know that I have always loved you, you will always be my only sister and my close friend. This situation has taught me several things……First of all, life is not fair. It is not fair for a beautiful 22 year old girl with so much to offer the world should die…..it is not fair that a kind, gentle person like my sister should have to endure 8 years of chronic pain and suffering…….But the fact is, you can NOT control the hand you are dealt, but you CAN control the way in which you play it…..and I will tell you how Kirsten played the hand she was dealt: Kirsten was the type of person who did not want anyone to feel sorry for her, mostly because she did not feel sorry for herself. She would not want us to cry for her…..the way she handled her unfortunate health issues was truly admirable. She maintained an attitude filled with courage, dignity, caring, compassion, forgivingness, optimism and most importantly, she lived life with a smile on her face! Although you were small in stature, you were large in heart. Kirsten, I will forever change how I live my life based on what I have learned from you. I challenge everyone to do the same, and this is my challenge……. I challenge us to think of Kirsten when we go through tough times or difficult situations in our lives. Every challenge I've yet to encounter in my life pales in comparison to the pain that Kirsten was going through every day for the last number of years. Since Kirsten was able to overcome the obstacles she faced every day with courage, optimism and a smile on her face……So will I!! I want us to all think about how truly blessed we are to have our health, our family, our friends and most of all, how blessed we are to have known the beautiful, loving soul of my baby sister, this we must never take for granted. Kirsten, I want to tell you that the tables have turned……after watching the courage and strength you demonstrated throughout your life, I have become your biggest fan, I will forever look up to you, just the way that a big brother should look up to his little sister. I love you, and I'm thankful that you can finally rest. Your Brother, Jeremy Kirsten Michelle Braunagel, 22 of Brighton; formerly of Littleton. Our Angel left us on October 10, 2008 and she will forever be in our hearts and memory. Daughter of Leon and Shelia Braunagel; sister of Jeremy and Kati; granddaughter of Grayson and Georgia Young, Magnus and Mildred Braunagel and Evelyne and Shelby Nordheim. The family will receive friends Sunday 5PM - 7PM, and Funeral Service Monday, 11 AM, Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 3101 South Wadsworth Blvd. Interment, Fort Logan National Cemetery. Please share condolences at HoranCares.com.