Man Inspired by Joe Biden Makes Twitter Cry Big Goopy Tears
A month ago, news broke that Vice President Joe Biden‘s son, Beau Biden, had succumbed to his long battle with brain cancer at the age of 46. Despite a poorly timed joke from Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), almost all of American politics and media showed the Biden family a staggering amount of support throughout the ordeal.
Nothing much has been heard since, especially because events like the death of a loved one are often a cause for mourning and moving on. Besides, the only remembrances one wants of such a loss — if any — are good ones. But thanks to Skip Brooks, a special prosecutor in Biden’s home state of Delaware, the vice president and his family were awarded with just that — a good memory.
As Slate’s Amy X. Wang points out, Brooks began tweeting his memories of then-Sen. Biden on Wednesday. First, he shared a handwritten note Biden had sent him after his eighth grade class met with the Delaware politician during a field trip to Washington D.C.:
On a 8th field trip to DC, we had a Q&A with @VP Joe Biden. I got this letter a week later. It still inspires me. pic.twitter.com/3YHcguj2Bo
— Skip Brooks (@SkipBrooks9) July 1, 2015
The note reads as follows:
Dear Brandon,
It was a pleasure meeting you yesterday. You are a fine, bright young man with a great future ahead of you if you continue to work hard. Remember what I told you about stuttering. You can beat it just like I did. When you do, you will be a stronger man for having won. Also remember, every time you are tempted to make fun of someone with a problem, how it feels when you are made fun of. Treat everyone with respect and you will be respected yourself.
Your friend,
Joe Biden.
Even though Biden’s @VP Twitter handle was included, one doesn’t always think that large accounts like his will always take notice. But he did:
.@SkipBrooks9 And it’s still true today, my friend. Treat everyone with respect and you will be respected yourself. — Vice President Biden (@VP) July 1, 2015
Without missing a beat, Brooks paid it forward to Biden with a cherished memory of his son Beau — then the Attorney General of Delaware:
@VP Took your advice to heart and years later Beau swore me in as a prosecutor. pic.twitter.com/jVUEcU54GW
— Skip Brooks (@SkipBrooks9) July 1, 2015
And now everybody is crying. Thanks Obama.
@SkipBrooks9 @VP Now *I’m* crying. — Jamie (@jamiedsongs) July 2, 2015
No, YOU are crying. Powerful exchange between @SkipBrooks9 and @VP (for whom, my deepest sympathy). https://t.co/j7HTvqMgkG
— Hilarie Ashton (@HilarieAshton) July 2, 2015
@SkipBrooks9 @VP I’m not crying. — Cíara (@ciaragemmam) July 1, 2015
@SkipBrooks9 @mitzy247 @VP And now I’m crying. :’)
— Imperator Tyto Alba (@thegiddyowl) July 2, 2015
@SkipBrooks9 @VP This made my night. #tears — T (@Ann_Who_) July 2, 2015
@SkipBrooks9 @VP ok you two just made me tear up. This is beautiful, and to see it come full circle is pure poetry. Much love and respect!
— Laura Keeney (@LauraKeeney) July 2, 2015
