Editor's note: This letter was written by Cynthia S. Plutro, STAR Ladson staff clinical social worker, and the staff of STAR-Ladson's Children's Day Treatment Program in the Institute of Psychiatry, as a memorial to Marvin Brown, human service specialist II.

"The Tri-County area is grieving the tragic loss of Marvin Brown who died July 9 in a fatal car accident. Mr. Brown worked at MUSC's STAR Ladson/Children's Day Treatment Program for more than five years. The community has lost not only a family member and friend, but also an advocate for at-risk youth. I had the pleasure of knowing and working with Mr. Brown for more than 10 years. I have firsthand witnessed the time, dedication and positive effect that he had on the numerous children and youth with whom he worked. He mentored hundreds of troubled children in our Lowcountry area. He gave voices to the unheard, he gave hope to the hopeless and most importantly he made each child believe in him or herself when others did not. Mr. Brown was to many a ray of light, acceptance and comfort in a world full of abuse and abandonment.

A darkness fell over Charleston July 9 as the Lowcountry has lost a person that believed not only in the goodness of others, but more importantly, in the right for every child to have a happy childhood.

The world is a better place for having Mr. Brown in it, and I know, without a doubt, that numerous Lowcountry children have smiled more and believe in themselves because Mr. Brown was a positive force in their lives. For that not only am I grateful, but we should all be."

This letter is written as a memorial to Marvin Brown, human service specialist II, at the STAR-Ladson Children's Day Treatment Program, Institute of Psychiatry.

These are words that are always the hardest to write; the words that we use in present tense when now they should be spoken in past tense. How do you even find the words to stop the crying, comfort the soul and say goodbye to a friend? But really, not just a friend- a family member, like a brother to some and a son to others. We do not have the answer to this question. All I know is what Mr. Marvin would have said: "Don't be sad that it is over, be happy that it was." Be happy that for 5 years we were blessed with Mr. Marvin's handsome smile. Be happy that he not only made a difference, a real difference in hundreds of children's lives, but in our own. Be happy that he not only personified but also taught us how to be selfless, humble and compassionate. Be happy that the world is a better place because he made it a better place.

Though feelings of sadness and emptiness surround us now, we know that this is not what Mr. Marvin would have wanted; he would have wanted us to rise above and not be defeated by this darkness. Mr. Marvin would have wanted us to honor his spirit and to live in his memory by: fighting the good fight, continuing to make the world a better place, always giving hope to the hopeless and accepting each person as they are without judgment; for this is what Mr. Marvin did every day.

You know, it is true what they say in the end. It doesn't matter how much money you had or what type of car you drove; it matters about the people that you inspired. Mr. Marvin, you inspired us and for that, we are the lucky ones.

We know that for us and for the many people that loved Mr. Marvin that the world right now is a darker place, but Heaven...well Heaven is shining brighter now, as truly an angel has returned home.

We love and miss you dearly.

Your Star-Ladson/ Children's Day Treatment Family