It’s almost been a year since his twin brother went to Heaven.
9-year-old Bryson Corley of Brent, Alabama, thinks about Brayden every day.
He finds himself thinking of ways to honor his brother, who has been gone for almost a year now.
One of those ways will be tonight, in Birmingham.
Bryson is about to do something that many children would never imagine: throw out the first pitch at a softball game.
It’s a simple but meaningful way for him to honor his twin brother’s memory.
The twins, Brayden and Bryson, had just enjoyed dinner at an Alabaster, Alabama, Japanese steakhouse.
It was May 3rd, 2025, a night that should have been like any other.
But in the blink of an eye, everything changed.
The boys were in the back seat of their vehicle, and their parents, Jason and Magan, were in the front seat.
They were traveling down Route 5 in Bibb County, Alabama, on that foggy May night.
The road ahead seemed uneventful until disaster struck, altering their lives forever.
A speeding vehicle, evading police, slammed into the Corleys’ vehicle just two miles from their house in Brent, Alabama.
The crash was sudden, and it caused devastation in an instant.
Magan and Bryson were miraculously OK, but Jason and Brayden were not.
Magan found herself in a whirlwind of grief and urgency.
She spent the following days running between UAB Hospital and Children’s of Alabama.
Both her husband Jason and her son Brayden had suffered traumatic brain injuries, and the prognosis was uncertain.
For 9 days, Magan held on to hope, but on May 12th, 2025, it became clear that Brayden’s injuries were too severe.
The decision was made for Brayden to undergo an Honor Walk, where his organs would be donated to save others.
Brayden’s heart would go to a 14-year-old girl, and his many organs would go on to save the lives of others in need.
“All 4 recipients of Brayden’s organs are alive today,” Magan Young-Corley, the twins’ mother, told me yesterday.
Her voice was filled with a mixture of sorrow and pride.
Brayden’s death brought new life to others, and in that, his legacy lives on.
Tonight, Bryson will be honoring his twin brother at the Alabama-UAB softball game in Birmingham.
It’s a special occasion for Bryson, one that he’s been looking forward to.
At around 5:15 pm CT, Bryson will step up to the mound to throw out the first pitch.
“Bryson doesn’t play baseball, so it could be interesting,” Magan said with a soft chuckle.
It’s true that Bryson isn’t a baseball player, but the gesture means everything.
It’s a moment for him to honor his brother, to do something special in his memory, and to carry on Brayden’s spirit.
Regardless of how the first pitch goes tonight, the Corley family marches on.
They take life one day at a time, still grappling with the loss but learning to live with it.
Dad Jason has made a remarkable recovery from his injuries, while Bryson is showing incredible strength and positivity after losing his twin brother.
Magan spoke softly, but there was strength in her words as she praised her son.
“Bryson has been a blessing,” she said, her voice steady.
She was in awe of his resilience and how he has handled the loss of Brayden with grace.
Through all the pain, Bryson’s presence has been a light for his family.
Even at just 9 years old, he has been a source of strength, carrying his brother’s memory with him every day.
Magan’s voice wavered, but she maintained her composure, as she spoke about the way Bryson has honored Brayden in everything he does.
As Bryson prepares for the first pitch tonight, it’s hard to ignore the weight of the journey they’ve been on.
The Corley family has been through unimaginable pain, but they continue to move forward, carrying Brayden’s memory with them in every step.
Tonight is a testament to their strength, their resilience, and their love for Brayden, which will never fade.
Despite the tragic loss of Brayden, the Corleys have chosen to live in a way that honors his legacy.
Every day, they find ways to keep his memory alive, whether through small acts of kindness or through moments like tonight’s first pitch.
Even in the face of loss, they continue to find ways to bring joy into their lives and keep Brayden’s spirit alive.
In this world, it’s easy to focus on the pain, but the Corleys have chosen to focus on the love.
They’ve chosen to remember the good times, the joy, and the laughter that Brayden brought into their lives.
And tonight, they’ll celebrate his life, his spirit, and the countless lives that were touched by his gift.
Tonight is not just about Bryson throwing out the first pitch.
It’s about remembering Brayden, honoring him, and keeping his memory alive in a way that will inspire others.
It’s a powerful reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is always a glimmer of light.
The Corley family’s journey is far from over, but with each passing day, they are learning to live with the pain and carry Brayden’s legacy forward.
They are not defined by their loss but by the love and strength that continue to guide them.
Bryson’s pitch tonight is just one small part of a much bigger story—a story of love, loss, and the unbreakable bond between twin brothers.
As we all watch Bryson throw that first pitch, let’s remember the incredible strength of the Corley family.
Let’s send our best to them as they continue to honor Brayden’s memory in everything they do.
May their journey inspire us all to live with purpose, to cherish the ones we love, and to find ways to honor those who have gone before us.