Keep Calm + Be Brave + Do Good |All American Gentleman #2
Our family often joked that Blake was emotionless. Sounds strange, but it was a compliment in every sense of the word. People were shocked at his ability to keep calm – no matter what.
[If you missed part one, Last American Gentleman, read it first here].
Whether surrounded by joy, sadness, or scary circumstances, you were hard-pressed to know how Blake was feeling.
And he listened A LOT more than he talked.
Over the years, if I got in a tizzy and was worried about something, he was an amazing sounding board.
He would patiently let me explain with my excuses and such.
Then he would slowly say…..
“Why are you getting so worked up about that? Stay calm. Just Be brave. If you want to change it, you’ve got to do something.”
He could give this advice because it’s how he lived his life.
He remained calm – always. And he pushed through fear so often to do something good.
Love in Action
If you really knew Blake, you knew that under that tough exterior, he was a VERY tender-hearted young man.
When it came to his wife whom he adored or a person or animal in need, he was relentlessly passionate.
But what’s different about Blake is that he didn’t just love deeply.
His deep love materialized fiercely with his ACTIONS.
It was evident that he loved his wife in the way he protected her. It was evident that he loved old people in the respect and time he gave them. And it was evident that he cared about animals and people that couldn’t help themselves in how he served them when no one else was watching.
I lost count of how many stray dogs Blake and E took in and how many dogs he checked on and fed while patrolling his jurisdiction.
There was a lot.
I’ve been contacted by people he encountered while on patrol that wanted me to know the compassion he showed while doing his job.
He simply couldn’t see a need and then turn away and do nothing.
It’s not that Blake didn’t believe in feelings. He felt very strongly about certain things.
Doing something GOOD about it
-Blake built his life on the solid rock of faith in God.
-He held old-fashioned, logical, conservative views.
-Blake couldn’t stand the thought of the “entitlement mentality.” He knew that hard work and obstacles shape you into a well-rounded adult.
-He believed in holding fast to the freedom that generations of the armed forces fought and died for. He was proud to be an American and did not take the privilege lightly.
-Not a surprise, Blake joined like-minded groups and causes that he knew could make a difference in our nation’s freedom.
-He wished more people would tap into bravery in order to stand up for their convictions – in a rational way.
-It was very natural for him to join the military at 17 years old and then become a deputy…
BUT, he believed that all Americans have the ability to serve and protect by doing the right thing – young or old – whether a civilian or highly decorated officer.
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.
-Edmund Burke
I think Blake’s life lesson would practically look like this —
- Stay calm – don’t let emotions overtake you.
- Pinpoint the real problem & a sensible solution.
- Be brave.
- Do what you can – DO SOMETHING GOOD that matters!
CONCLUSION
I miss him more each day, our gentleman, who was wise beyond his years.
He was right, you know.
When we remove emotion from a situation, we can see more clearly.
If we follow our convictions to actually do something about it, we could change our world for the better (without emotions like anger or fear getting in the way).
Got something you’re convicted to do that you haven’t?
Stay calm + Be brave + Do something good that matters!
Blake would be so proud!
— more life lessons to come in future posts…
Continuous prayers for you and your family in the loss of Blake, the brave warrior.
Thank you, Eve. I appreciate your sweet words.
Love this pretty girl. Looking forward to the next one. You are all in my thoughts and prayers everyday.
Thanks. A new post coming today.
I love to read these stories and lessons over and over. When you write about him, I also envision you and how you handled him as a toddler and young boy. You awed me in your patience with him and your soft words of correction. Although sometimes you had to be stern, you never raised your voice. You were always gentle, used love, and waited to speak as you say he also did. He learned so much from you. Keep writing my friend. I love you.
Such sweet, meaningful words. Thanks for sharing them with me.