Jeff Blake Memorial
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Memorial Invitation- Jeff Blake
Promises, Birds, Heaven – and Jeff Blake
Jeff asked me to make good on two promises after he died:
1. “Cry a lot. Fill up a river with your tears. I’ll be disappointed if you don’t cry. You will miss me when I’m gone. There should be ample evidence.” (Jeff was a rascal and a jokester. He introduced me to Anne Lamott who says that laughter is carbonated holiness.) Since Jeff died yesterday, I’ve cried a lot; but I’ve also laughed a little. Our tears are precious to our Lord. He keeps them in a bottle (Psalm 56:8).
2. Please be a friend to Michael. He is my greatest concern. He will need your Love. Please help Michael access the help he will need.
Will you help me keep my #2 promise? I’m on a roll with #1.
Father Edwin came to Jeff’s bed side three days before he died. “How are you Jeff?” he asked. Jeff responded in a whisper, “I am grateful in grace.”
Fr. Edwin inquired about how he may extend grace in Jeff’s final days. Jeff was able to articulate how his greatest wish was to die with confidence that Michael Cartledge, his best friend of over two decades and his housemate, would not suffer after his passing. Jeff and his former wife, raised three beautiful children who Jeff cherished. They are all grown now with 9 beautiful children of their own. Later in 1997, Jeff adopted Michael. Not in the legal sense, but in a brotherly or paternal sense.
After Jeff’s retirement from a vocational lifetime of ministry and nonprofit service, he moved Michael (who he called by nickname Brant) into his Covington, GA home in 2013. Michael works part time at the local library, his employer of six years. Before working there, he was unable to connect and speak to people following the unexpected death of his beloved mother and a life of heartache.
God says, “Let there be Light.” Books, the library, and Jeff made a way for Michael. The light made its way though every crack. Healing and resurrection took place.
By our wounds we are healed. This is the way of the cross.
All these years, I’ve believed that Jeff saved Michael because this is what Michael told me. Now I see how Michael also saved Jeff. I see how there is a sacred covenant between care giver and care receiver. I see how there is an equal flow of grace. I see how Jeff relied upon Michael to walk him every step of his homestretch to heaven. I see how deep, genuine friendship is a reflection of Christ. I see how heaven starts here and extends into eternity.
I believe that a miracle is a shift in perception. Miracles occur every time we stretch to see as God sees.
Michael, more than any other person, helped Jeff carry his cross. Three days after Fr. Edwin and I made our promise to Jeff, he was able let go of all he knew and loved earthside and continue to follow Christ into eternity.
Jeff’s love is with us still.
We reflect Christ when we see the person God places in our path as completely whole, even with his holes. This is the way Jeff greeted and led people on Grace Street. Every traveler was a special, a VIP, an equal brother or a sister in Christ. Grace is the legacy of our friend Jeff Blake.
I spent yesterday with Michael. I held his hand shortly after Jeff took his last breath earth side. I saw a part of Michael leave with Jeff. Heaven came down to this earth as hundreds of birds came to sing their farewell. The backyard birds are long- time friends of Jeff and Michael. All different colors and kinds, but singing from the same divine sheet of music. These hundreds of birds, joined the regulars, and arrived yesterday morning in the dark at 5:00 AM, and they stayed in the heavy rain until Jeff’s body left his earthly home. Grace the hummingbird has gone with Jeff to heaven. George the hummingbird has stayed behind with Michael.
This is my testimony. I saw heaven yesterday. I saw and heard God’s angels. In those hundreds, not dozens, birds. Jeff and I shared the belief that heaven starts now and extends into eternity.
Jeff’s last promise was to meet me and all of us here on Grace Street at the gate. I believe.
Many of you have asked how to best honor and memorialize the life of our friend, Jeff Blake.
Michael’s well-being was Jeff’s greatest concern and wish.
Michael needs housing in Covington, Georgia near the library he loves. (Please pray that he will soon have access to full time hours and can become financially self-sufficient.) He needs finances to travel to Kentucky for Jeff’s memorial service next month. (Planning is underway) He needs funds to help with moving and start-up. Jeff gifted Brant his car, but it needs maintenance and insurance.
Please consider giving a gift to Michael in memory of Jeff Blake. If you prefer not to use this Go Fund Me platform, please mail a check payable to Michael Cartledge to my address at 3001 Lake Forest Drive, Augusta, Ga. 30909.
Promises, Birds, Heaven – and Jeff Blake
Jeff asked me to make good on two promises after he died:
1. “Cry a lot. Fill up a river with your tears. I’ll be disappointed if you don’t cry. You will miss me when I’m gone. There should be ample evidence.” (Jeff was a rascal and a jokester. He introduced me to Anne Lamott who says that laughter is carbonated holiness.) Since Jeff died yesterday, I’ve cried a lot; but I’ve also laughed a little. Our tears are precious to our Lord. He keeps them in a bottle (Psalm 56:8).
2. Please be a friend to Michael. He is my greatest concern. He will need your Love. Please help Michael access the help he will need.
Will you help me keep my #2 promise? I’m on a roll with #1.
Father Edwin came to Jeff’s bed side three days before he died. “How are you Jeff?” he asked. Jeff responded in a whisper, “I am grateful in grace.”
Fr. Edwin inquired about how he may extend grace in Jeff’s final days. Jeff was able to articulate how his greatest wish was to die with confidence that Michael Cartledge, his best friend of over two decades and his housemate, would not suffer after his passing. Jeff and his former wife, raised three beautiful children who Jeff cherished. They are all grown now with 9 beautiful children of their own. Later in 1997, Jeff adopted Michael. Not in the legal sense, but in a brotherly or paternal sense.
After Jeff’s retirement from a vocational lifetime of ministry and nonprofit service, he moved Michael (who he called by nickname Brant) into his Covington, GA home in 2013. Michael works part time at the local library, his employer of six years. Before working there, he was unable to connect and speak to people following the unexpected death of his beloved mother and a life of heartache.
God says, “Let there be Light.” Books, the library, and Jeff made a way for Michael. The light made its way though every crack. Healing and resurrection took place.
By our wounds we are healed. This is the way of the cross.
All these years, I’ve believed that Jeff saved Michael because this is what Michael told me. Now I see how Michael also saved Jeff. I see how there is a sacred covenant between care giver and care receiver. I see how there is an equal flow of grace. I see how Jeff relied upon Michael to walk him every step of his homestretch to heaven. I see how deep, genuine friendship is a reflection of Christ. I see how heaven starts here and extends into eternity.
I believe that a miracle is a shift in perception. Miracles occur every time we stretch to see as God sees.
Michael, more than any other person, helped Jeff carry his cross. Three days after Fr. Edwin and I made our promise to Jeff, he was able let go of all he knew and loved earthside and continue to follow Christ into eternity.
Jeff’s love is with us still.
We reflect Christ when we see the person God places in our path as completely whole, even with his holes. This is the way Jeff greeted and led people on Grace Street. Every traveler was a special, a VIP, an equal brother or a sister in Christ. Grace is the legacy of our friend Jeff Blake.
I spent yesterday with Michael. I held his hand shortly after Jeff took his last breath earth side. I saw a part of Michael leave with Jeff. Heaven came down to this earth as hundreds of birds came to sing their farewell. The backyard birds are long- time friends of Jeff and Michael. All different colors and kinds, but singing from the same divine sheet of music. These hundreds of birds, joined the regulars, and arrived yesterday morning in the dark at 5:00 AM, and they stayed in the heavy rain until Jeff’s body left his earthly home. Grace the hummingbird has gone with Jeff to heaven. George the hummingbird has stayed behind with Michael.
This is my testimony. I saw heaven yesterday. I saw and heard God’s angels. In those hundreds, not dozens, birds. Jeff and I shared the belief that heaven starts now and extends into eternity.
Jeff’s last promise was to meet me and all of us here on Grace Street at the gate. I believe.
Many of you have asked how to best honor and memorialize the life of our friend, Jeff Blake.
Michael’s well-being was Jeff’s greatest concern and wish.
Michael needs housing in Covington, Georgia near the library he loves. (Please pray that he will soon have access to full time hours and can become financially self-sufficient.) He needs finances to travel to Kentucky for Jeff’s memorial service next month. (Planning is underway) He needs funds to help with moving and start-up. Jeff gifted Brant his car, but it needs maintenance and insurance.
Please consider giving a gift to Michael in memory of Jeff Blake. If you prefer not to use this Go Fund Me platform, please mail a check payable to Michael Cartledge to my address at 3001 Lake Forest Drive, Augusta, Ga. 30909.
Organizer and beneficiary
Meredith Bishop Stiff
Organizer
Augusta, GA
Michael Cartledge
Beneficiary