Bradley Craig Glenn

This past Saturday was the worst day ever imaginable. It was the day our baby died. We had 20 incredible years with our second born... and, though every moment we spent together was a gift, our child was taken way too soon.
On May 26th, 2000, Bradley Craig Glenn was born in Murrieta, CA. From the moment he was born, we knew he was someone very special. The doctors put him in my arms, and Bradley just laid there, safe and warm in his Mommy’s love, looking around, eyes wide open and soaking in his new world.
When Bradley was 3 years old, our family moved from Southern CA to Utah. Bradley attended Midway Elementary and was a part of the GATE and Odyssey of the Mind programs. He was like a superhero with a photographic memory. He loved to learn and to read- and carried those loves throughout his entire life. He loved Mutton Bustin’, MMA, space, tracking, and memorizing stats.
At 8 years old, Bradley wrote a letter to Senator Orrin Hatch, telling them Senator how to fix the health care problems in our country— in great detail. Amazingly, the Senator wrote him back, and, briefly, they became Pen Pals.
Sometime around 3rd grade, the pain began. Bradley had Aspergers- and, as a result, he took things very literally and didn’t pick up on small social cues. He didn’t know how to play the game we all play to fit in and be accepted by our peers. He was just himself.
Bradley was so affectionate. He hugged all of his friends and let them know he loved them. His friends thought that was weird and called him “gay”. Bradley was also very smart and he wasn’t afraid to show it. Kids told him he was a nerd. Soon, he had no friends left at school. So, he would cry a lot. He would spend lunchtime in the library. Kids threw things at him. He was bullied relentlessly.
Bradley struggled in middle school. He was bullied relentlessly for being different. Finally, he was diagnosed with Aspergers, as well as Major Depressive Disorder and Anxiety. He dropped out of school in 8th grade and eventually earned his GED. He was so very smart, so loving and affectionate... I don’t think Small Town, UT was quite ready for such a strong spirit.
In his mid teens, Bradley began to struggle with body dysmorphia and developed an eating disorder. At 14 years old, Bradley attempted suicide. We got him into a treatment program and intensive therapy. He hated every minute of it- but, it opened up a dialogue and he began to talk a little bit. He found the courage to come out to a few of his closest friends. He asked to be called Eve...
My beautiful, transgender daughter: Eve.
Eve was the most incredible person on the planet. As her parents, we learned so much just from doing life with this amazing person. She loved to write, and read, to travel, play piano and guitar. She had incredible friends from all over the world, They accepted her and loved her, right where she was at.
Eve has the most memorable, beautiful laugh and loved to debate philosophy and politics. She loved to play music, discuss movies and literature, longboard around town in the middle of the night, and cook spicy food. Many late night conversations were had, smoking cigarettes, discussing Nietzsche, the meaning of life, or David Bowie. Often, as her mother, I had to google “what does _____ mean” just to be able to follow the conversation we were having. Her vocabulary was so large, and the depth of her understanding exponentially larger.
Eve dreamed of moving to the city and finding her “tribe”. She wanted to write a novel, travel the world, fight injustice, hate, inequality and poverty. She was passionate, and incredibly empathetic and loving. Eve was desperate to move away from the small mountain town she grew up in. She hoped to find a community of academic queer people that would accept hernot whisper, joke, and stare-... She wanted to find love, to find her person to do life with and wake up next to every morning.
Even though Eve was desperate to leave small town life, she recognized the absolute beauty all around her and she truly loved her family. She told me every day, “Mom, you’re my very best friend.” She had a unique, beautiful relationship with each of her sisters. She worshipped her dad, and thought he was the most perfect man ever. Eve also loved her new role as “TiTi”- being an Aunt to her niece, Sofia. Sofia was Eve’s joy and made her smile- They spent hours every day reading books, playing with blocks and baby dolls, and snuggling. Eve thought Sofia was the most precious thing in the universe, and she spent the time with her to ensure that Sofia KNEW her TiTi adored her.
One of the coolest things about Eve is her incredible way of meeting people where they were at, and allowing them to be and grow as they would. She just loved people. I think she understood humans far better than most of us do. She had grace for people and allowed everyone around her to be their most authentic self. She was sure to let everyone know exactly how she felt about them, and never let a day go by without telling his family and friends “Dude, I freaking love you!”
I’ve never respected another human being so much.
Thank you, Eve, for choosing me to be your mother... for choosing us as your family. Thank you for giving the world 20 phenomenal years with you. You will be remembered, always, and loved with a love that’s beyond measure.
Eve is survived by her father, Joel, her mother, Sommer, her three sisters: Victoria, Rebekah, and Ashleigh Rose, her niece, Sofia Rose, her “big brother” JT, and her brother in law, Sam. She also is survived by her grandparents, Dave and Pamela Skaggs, Craig and Anne Young, and Jeanette Young, as well as numerous cousins, aunts and uncles, and MANY very special friends. We love you, Eve
If you, or someone you love is LGBTQ, or is depressed, struggling with thoughts of suicide and needs support, please reach out. There are so many who love you and want to see you truly happy and healthy.
https://www.thetrevorproject.org https://translifeline.org/ https://support.therapytribe.com/
Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 6, 2021 at 12 noon at the Mountainview Fellowship Church in Heber. Burial will take place after the funeral at the Heber City Cemetery.