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VOICES OF OUR COMMUNITY It seemed to have been a downward spiral since then. With relationship problems, in and out of the hospital, one thing after the other to weaken his heightened spirit, until finally, it happened, and he was back to being homeless. Of course, there were many things that could’ve been done to prevent his passing. And while people tried to help Brian, myself included, it remains evident that the help he needed was companionship, financial support, or both. It’s hard to think that one act of kindness might have kept Brian alive, even if, but for a little while longer. And not only Brian but Dwayne and many others. They didn’t do drugs but tried to help humanity, maybe made a few unprofitable decisions, but nothing warranting an early grave. All Brian needed was a place to stay, even if for a little while until he could find a place he could afford with the money he was making. But there was no couch that would welcome Brian or temporary stay he could go to. Brian’s friends were few. They were people who either worked at the VOICE or people who he sold the VOICE to. I hope this dark untimely event shines a light on what more we all could have done, and what we can do in the future. JOHN ALEXANDER My name is John Alexander, and I have been with the VOICE for more than 15 years. I have known Brian Augustine since that very first day with the VOICE. Throughout these many years, I have only seen Brian’s love for his work, and the way the life he enjoyed with the Denver VOICE grew more each day than the day before. Brian never, never, never spoke in disgust about anyone or anything – not even when the weather was bad. His kind words and actions made Brian Augustine who he was. Goodbye, Brian Augustine, and may God continue to give you peace and many blessings. JACOB MARSH, SR. Brian was a good man, a great friend, and an awesome vendor. Brian was a very compassionate guy. If you were down on your luck or having a bad day, he always knew knew what to say to cheer you up and get out of the slump or to make you feel better when you’d received bad news. He was a very funny guy, and everyone knew it. I watched Brian in his good years and his bad. Even though his final couple of years were some of the worst, he always managed to look at the positive side of things. Brian was one of my mentors. When I started with the VOICE, Brian took time to teach a greenhorn like me to vend the VOICE properly. I had the privilege of getting to know him, and understanding what was important to him. He once told me that other than this job, which he loved, he loved his family, but he loved his vendor family just as much. He also told me his favorite part of this job was meeting new people. Brian loved his job when he was able and feeling well enough to get out. He tried his hardest to get the VOICE and our voices as vendors out to the public for everyone to see what we do here at the Denver VOICE. Brian was a very caring man that loved everyone and everything in life. He had a very big heart and cared for everyone – even if they didn’t care for him. I never considered Brian to be a violent man. I don’t think he had a violent bone in his body. Brian, you were my friend and brother. You will be missed dearly. Rest in Paradise. ■ If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources. This tribute continues on page 10. February 2023 DENVER VOICE 9 BACK ON THE STREETS BY BRIAN AUGUSTINE Editor’s Note: This is the final installment of Brian Augustine’s “Back on the Streets.” I was so fortunate to have had the opportunity to get to know Brian. He was proud of this column. His stories were harsh sometimes, but to give readers a true sense of reality, he refused to soften how he described his experiences. I loved working with him on his column, and I will be forever grateful to him for trusting me to help tell his story. THEY SAY THAT THERE ARE THREE BASIC NEEDS TO LIVE – water, food, and shelter – but, there is also is a fourth. Some may supplement drugs and/or alcohol, which may get you through life. But, that’s definitely not living a real life. Love is a necessity to live a real life. Human contact. Like a handshake or, better, a hug. Love gets you through the days. The first love most receive is from their mom – even with an adoption. Mom loves you first. Then, hopefully, Dad, followed by siblings. Parents, brothers, and sisters are a great source of love. After that, it’s aunts and uncles, but let’s not forget about cousins. This should be the base for love in your life. That isn’t true in my case. My family just doesn’t find a use for me. After family, there is that first love, which some call puppy love. Friends are another good source of “small” love. Then, there are the great loves. Some say you’re only allowed three great loves in one life. I’ve had my three. I know they were great loves because no matter what they did, or what I did to them, the love was still there. Right now, I’m living without any significant love. My mother passed away, and my family doesn’t contact me at all, even if I contact them. I have no girlfriend, even though I’ve tried and searched for one. The only love I receive is from those who are my friends. Friends tend to only say they love you when you say it first. I will continue to go through life, still searching for that next love. And I will always have the hope of finding one. Being homeless, it is hard to find love. We tend to do things that hurt our chances. Usually, drugs or alcohol separate us from the ones we love. For me, it is just being homeless and poor. I went through the pandemic without hugs or handshakes. It was hard but I made it through it. Now, I’m on a forced shutdown due to having a cold and dealing with poor health conditions, which means for three or four months, I will not have my friends with me. But I continue to strive forward. Still hoping to find that intimate love. Make sure you tell the ones you love that all you have for them is love. I’m sorry if I made you sad. I just hope you understand this is something I had to get off my chest. It being February and all. ■ ORIGINAL DESIGN BY BRIAN AUGUSTINE FOR 2020’S WRAPPING PAPER ISSUE

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