All American Gentleman #3 | Tribute
I’m very behind on sharing updates, but it seems very fitting that I share this all-American tribute for Blake on Veterans Day. He felt led to join the armed forces while in high school, was very passionate about freedom as our forefathers intended, and was preceded by scores of men in our family who held those same values.
[If you missed parts 1 & 2 of Last American Gentleman, read it here].
Outside of our other jobs, Mike and I have thrown ourselves into working on our two YouTube channels and their sites, Country Style Living Channel and The How to Guru Channel.
Both are a lot of work and have diverted our attention from the reality of facing each day knowing that Blake isn’t coming back.
An extreme sadness continues as my heart stands still in grief, yet everything else continues on.
His birthday, his sister’s wedding, and his own wedding anniversary have come and gone. The emptiness of those days without him is unexplainable.
Thanksgiving will be extremely tough. Christmas is even tougher.
It’s so heavy on my heart that I can’t watch or listen to anything to do with the holidays on any media source. He loved Christmas and our family traditions so much.
So, seeing anything to do with Christmas is just too hard right now.
“Since you left, nothing seems to make sense; it feels as if the world would stop turning, yet the sunrise comes up new every day.“
-Country Style Living
All American “Home-Going” Celebration
The following is how our pastor described our son during his “home-going” ceremony.
“He wasn’t born on the 4th of July, but he almost was. Blake had wisdom and maturity far beyond his years.
Old school.
Traditional.
Loyal.
He was a gentleman.
Blake’s life was a gift from God…
To his parents.
To his sister.
To his wife.
To his church.
To his community.
To his country.
Our pastor shared that, in Blake, God GAVE us three gifts through him.”
#1 GOD GAVE A SON
“He had such a great, dry sense of humor. He was quiet with a cutting wit.
When the room was quiet, he would drop a joke bomb and leave us all rolling.
A man of few words.
He was an old soul.”
#2 GOD GAVE AN AMERICAN PATRIOT & PUBLIC SERVANT
“Blake considered going back full-time into the military, in part because he loved guns and loved shooting, loved to talk about shooting.
He just loved to shoot.
The Lord gave a public servant.
He ended up serving first as a jailer at the Sheriff’s department, and then as a deputy sheriff.
He wanted his life to count.
It’s a great goal and I want to say yet again…
If he wanted to live a life that mattered, that touched other people and served other people, mission accomplished.
His all American life was a gift to this community and a gift to this state.
His life was a gift to this great country.”
#3 THE LORD GAVE A FAITHFUL HUSBAND
“If Blake’s mission was to be a good and faithful husband… mission accomplished.”
Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms; if that were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming again and will take you to Myself, so that where I am, there you also will be. And you know the way where I am going…. I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.
John 14:1-6
BLAKE’S LIFE LESSON
We were able to see just three areas pointed out by our pastor.
I believe Blake would want us to step back and take a look at those things we call “important” in our own lives.
We were allowed to experience the gift of Blake as a son, brother, husband, nephew, grandson, friend, confidant, and public servant.
In light of this truth, what ways are we a gift to other people?
WHAT NOW?
Pastor Mike’s challenge to us in the days ahead is to somehow not let the current circumstances blind us to the gift itself.
We have a lot of content to share but couldn’t go any further without sharing this special tribute with you. Blake would love nothing more than this community that loves God, their families, and their country.
We are working to extend his all American legacy throughout the community and beyond – those plans are in the works.
*** FUTURE ANNOUNCEMENTS ON HOW TO GET INVOLVED COMING SOON ***
Thank you for being here.
My hearts hurts for y’all. I wish I could take some of your pain away! Blake was a very special person loved by so many! We’re here for you! ?❤️
Love this family !! Prayers continue ??????♥️
Continued prayers through the holiday season! ?
My heart is broken. I feel helpless. Continued prayers for your family through the holiday season and the years to follow.
Love this family so much
We love and loved our Great Nephew! What a sweet, gentle sole. We will always miss his love of family history and family. Gone to soon! Keep that smile in your heart and mind. Love to all at this wonderful time of year Peace on Earth!
Praying for you & your family during the holiday season.. We serve an Awesome God, and I Praying HE will hold you tight & give you peace and comfort. Love you. ?❤???