"Brandon Is In Heaven"

The words and pictures ran like a sad slide show, with each pithy thought, each hastily taken iPhone image illuminating every little milestone in Brandon Holt's very short life.

The Facebook page for Brandon's mom was supposed to be a place show pride. Now it's a memorial, with every mention of whatever Brandon did serving as the 6-year-old's happiest memories.

"Today my baby boy, Brandon, finished kindergarten and is now officially going in the 1st grade," wrote Christine Decker-Holt. "He is getting so big!"

So much more was said at the Carmona-Bolen Funeral Home, where the first services were held last month for Brandon, shot and killed by a 4-year-old playmate.

Many went there, or to the funeral services at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Toms River, to hear everything they could, and to share in any way posible.

They went to a candle light vigil following the services at Carmona-Bolen, where a march from the funeral home to Huddy Park was held to remember Brandon.

They heard crying, or cried themselves; they struggled to hold back when they went to see pictures of a kid who seemed to smile for every picture ever taken of him.

Many weren't be able to go, but would have like to, and not just friends and family. Many wished they could leave work, and wait in line for what could be hours, - and not just the people in Toms River, or the other Shore towns, who have been reading about this tragedy every day.

There were many, maybe thousands or more, who live across the country and heard about this, and can't believe that a 4-year-old gained access to a gun, let alone used it.

They went to see these pictures, and wished they could turn back time, and wish that Brandon could have been someplace else that night. They'll wished that somebody thought first before doing anything that allowed a 4-year-old to get his hands on a loaded weapon.

But for those who couldn't be there, there is a place for them to go, and cry.

On the Internet, in a public display, is a mother's pride: a Facebook page with publicly displayed memories that stopped suddenly after 2012, and stopped long before Brandon's own image was gone for good.

One look at it, and you'll see friends showing their profile photos, some of whom changed theirs from something of themselves to something of Brandon.

"You are such a gorgeous, talented, and intelligent boy who did not deserve to die so young," one wrote. "Rest In Peace Brandon Joseph Holt, I love you more than you'll ever know."

The pictures and the words go back to 2012 and before. One shows Brandon standing on a chair at Easter time, ready to dive into a basket of goodies at Easter.

"Looks like the Easter Bunny got a little carried away!" says the inscription. "Brandon is in Heaven!"

Then there is Brandon at a baseball game, maybe the Lakewood Blue Claws, giving a little wave with his little hand. Behind him are empty seats on a dark night, but Brandon's smile shines.

"That is a really cute picture," one commenter says.

"Omg it's a little Ron!!" another says.

There's so much more - kids walking in a Little League parade, carrying a banner with a big blue jay. Happy parents toasting each other.

But the ones that rise above them all are those of the little man with the toothy grin, a smile that will shine forever.

"I am so heartbroken," a commenter wrote, "to know I will never get the chance to speak to you again."