Kirk Needs Your Help After Losing Brett

Hi, I'm Deb and I'm organizing this fundraiser for my younger brother, Kirk Morgan-Austin.

Nine years ago, previous to his relationship with Brett Austin, Kirk had just survived the dramatic loss of his spouse from unspeakably bizarre and unnatural events. Deeply wounded and alone, Kirk was valiantly remaking his life in Palm Springs when he met Brett.

Brett was one of the most talented, brilliant, genuine, generous and quirky individuals I've ever known. He was well-read, quick, humorous- a sort of renaissance man. Gifted in a number of areas, his area of true mastery was in the natural world, particularly plants. He could name at sight any plant you put in front of him, its characteristics, and special growing needs. His nature photography was breathtakingly beautiful. Hence, he became the go-to horticulturist in several nurseries. His recent dream was to create a podcast: The Profane Gardener. With his resonant baritone voice, consummate knowledge, and lightning-quick humor, he would surely have had a huge following.

In our lifetimes we have all felt misunderstood. It's part of being human. However, from childhood, Kirk and Brett were each dealt cards that made them seem "other" to the majority. Cards that made them feel that being a welcome part of society would be nearly impossible. Many of these "abnormalities" are just starting to be understood. However, the past is the past. Like many, during their lifetimes they have had a hard time being seen for the wonderful people that they are.

Each having his own tortured past, they had nothing but each other when then met. Guarding each other from a difficult world, Brett and Kirk created a world of their own. After a number of setbacks and no home, they came to live in my home during Covid and the following summers. Lacking a permanent home, they created a nomadic existence, bouncing between Palm Springs in the winter months and Minnesota in the summer, so Brett could work in nurseries in their prime seasons. It was a simple life, but they cherished it.

Over these years, both Kirk and Brett also fought significant diseases. During these years, Brett had to deal with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and several serious respiratory illnesses. While seemingly in good health, these likely set the stage for tragedy.

This past January, Brett developed what seemed to be yet another respiratory illness, but it developed into severe pneumonia. Hospitalized since January, he quickly went from 150 to 104 pounds and was unable to regain his health. He was released from hospitals several times only to be readmitted only 2 days later. Like Pope Francis, this disease took hold in January and took his life in Easter week.

Brett was Kirk's entire universe, the one person who truly understood him. They spent all their time together. They shared dreams of resettling this coming winter near Yakima, Brett's hometown. Unemployed since January and living as simply as they did, Brett was not able to leave any sort of savings.

Kirk is once more alone. Currently, he is unemployed, homeless, and facing his own medical challenges. He had significant gastrointestinal surgeries last summer that revealed cancer. He is currently receiving chemotherapy.

My sister Sue is with him now, helping him take next steps. He will likely return to his part-time work in the Twin Cities for the summer. Future steps are not yet known.

Kirk is devastated on so many levels. The trauma of watching Brett slowly fade away was impossibly hard to endure and accept. He needs funds for Brett's cremation, his own relocation, living expenses, and medical care.

We all, if we are lucky, eventually come to know that our true meaning in living is to support each other. Fulfillment comes when we realize that the path to joy is opening our hearts to each other. In a world that seems increasingly bent on labeling rather than loving, seeing differences as deficiencies rather than assets, I hope that this fundraiser can spur generosity and help Kirk to believe again. To honor Brett's life and to support Kirk as he starts over yet again, your donation would mean the world to me. If you're able to donate, it would be permanently meaningful to Kirk, me, and my family. Every dollar will go to Kirk and make a difference. If you are not able to contribute, we understand. In that case, would you consider passing this page on to others who may be in the position to donate? We hope that you will share this with your circle of influence to open new doors of support and love to Kirk.

Thank you for supporting Kirk and honoring Brett with your kind thoughts, compassion, and support.

Deb Sittko