The Last All American Gentleman? #1
Nothing prepares you to be met at the front door by uniformed officers from your son’s police department to inform you of your son’s tragic departure from this earth into the gates of heaven.
Nothing.
My mind is still reeling.
The extreme loss I feel without Blake in our daily lives is paralyzing.
How can this be real?
While I’m so very thankful for the 27 years we had with him, I’m overwhelmed with sadness that our time was WAY too short.
Through the years (and especially the past two weeks), many people have remarked what a “gentleman” he was.
What’s especially stunning is that these kind words are coming from young men Blake’s age…
Those he went to college with, those he served with in the Army, and those who worked with him at the police department.
What a wonderful compliment and testimony of his life.
We knew he acted like a gentleman around us, but as parents you aren’t sure the perception the world has of your kid when they grow into adulthood.
But this “kind, All-American gentleman” theme is a common thread we’ve come to know in the last few days.
One of the most comforting things has been hearing about the impact Blake had on other people. We are thankful for the stories.
For me, the thought of returning to my normal writing job for a magazine, here on this site, and on my travel site is not enough.
So, I’ll write about him here…..
WHY?
1) For my healing.
2) For the healing of all who loved him.
3) To keep his legacy alive.
Blake was not perfect.
But I believe the way he lived his life is full of many lessons.
I’ve been told numerous times that our world is desperate for more young men like him.
If Blake’s life lessons help just one person, his legacy lives on.
It’s my prayer that Blake’s life will inspire you and yours to hold fast to convictions AND serve others with strength and kindness as he did…..
in hopes that he WON’T be the last All American Gentleman.
— life lessons to come in future articles…
Continuing prayers for you all. My heart still breaks every time I think about you. May God’s Love heal your hearts and His peace replace your heartache with warm loving memories.
People always say children are a reflection of their parents. This could not be a truer statement than with this family. I’ve know Blake his whole life and he is the true southern gentleman in every sense of the word.
My heart breaks for your family of the tragic loss of your precious son Blake. You truly know the loss of God the Father as He sacrificed his only son Jesus on the cross. But what a comfort we can hang onto knowing that Blake is with Jesus even though it doesn’t make the loss any easier. May God comfort all of you in the days, months, and years ahead as memories flood your soul. Our prayers are for your family and for his precious wife in the incredible loss you are feeling at this time. Love you, Sid and Frances Burden
Known you all a long time and watched you go through a lot. You were always faithful and saw God work. Trusting He will sustain you all and fill you with His peace. Blake was always sweet and smiling! Such beautiful eyes! No doubt God will use you and Blake to help others. Continued prayers!