Dear Family & Friends,
It’s extremely hard to believe we have lived without Jake for 6 years. To say we miss him doesn’t even come close to how we feel, but God continues to comfort us with incredible memories of him.
Throughout these years I have had opportunities to share with large groups of people and more intimate settings with individuals some of what Samuel and I have been through in losing and living without Jake. However, Samuel’s story has yet to be told.
On April 11, 2017, Jake, Samuel and I spent the day finalizing our cruise vacation details for our 25th wedding anniversary. That evening we went out for dinner and on our way home Samuel found a video that had all 3 of us laughing so hard to the point of tears. I think we laughed for 10 minutes on that ride home. Later that night Samuel walked up the stairs to go to bed as he had done every night not knowing when he reached the top it would be his last time to tell his daddy, “goodnight best friend.” The next morning, his daddy was gone.
These last 6 years my heart has dealt with all the emotions of watching “firsts.” First time playing football, first time making the school basketball team, first homecoming, first golf match, first eagle, first time driving, first prom, and first girlfriend. These things were all missed by Jake, and often my tears were for what he didn’t get to be a part of.
I’m writing this letter to you with complete humbleness, with a trusting heart for your understanding, and a great amount of joy.
At Jake’s Memorial Service, Danny Chauncey spoke to Samuel directly from the stage and told him to look around the room. He said we know your daddy is gone, but there’s a whole lot of uncles in this room that are here for you. I’ll never forget that moment as I looked into those sad, broken-hearted eyes. Well, after much thought and prayer I have a very special call to send to you. One of the “firsts” that is upon us now is that funny, lighthearted, blue eyed, dimpled cheeks little boy is 18 and about to graduate, and I would be honored and humbled if you could honor Jake in helping Samuel purchase his first car. Jake loved showering me and Samuel with gifts when he could, and I know this would have been his best daddy moment to get his son a car. I’m asking us to all come together in a unique way to bless him, and get him started as he begins walking the path designed by God for his life. Would you please consider being a part of the family that Danny talked about to Samuel?
He graduates later this month and I’m hoping we can gift him with this and celebrate this First in a very memorable way.
Can you even imagine!!!
Thank you in advance. I set up this Go Fund Me account, but if you’d rather send a check or Venmo that would be great as well. ALL this will go directly to the purchase of a vehicle, insurance, and tag, and any remaining will be set aside for him. None of this is to me.
If you wish to give anonymously through this app, but want Samuel to know you helped out, please send me a note through messenger and I will let him know.
I love you all. I’ve chosen you all after much prayer and tears for the part you played in Jake’s life.
It’s extremely hard to believe we have lived without Jake for 6 years. To say we miss him doesn’t even come close to how we feel, but God continues to comfort us with incredible memories of him.
Throughout these years I have had opportunities to share with large groups of people and more intimate settings with individuals some of what Samuel and I have been through in losing and living without Jake. However, Samuel’s story has yet to be told.
On April 11, 2017, Jake, Samuel and I spent the day finalizing our cruise vacation details for our 25th wedding anniversary. That evening we went out for dinner and on our way home Samuel found a video that had all 3 of us laughing so hard to the point of tears. I think we laughed for 10 minutes on that ride home. Later that night Samuel walked up the stairs to go to bed as he had done every night not knowing when he reached the top it would be his last time to tell his daddy, “goodnight best friend.” The next morning, his daddy was gone.
These last 6 years my heart has dealt with all the emotions of watching “firsts.” First time playing football, first time making the school basketball team, first homecoming, first golf match, first eagle, first time driving, first prom, and first girlfriend. These things were all missed by Jake, and often my tears were for what he didn’t get to be a part of.
I’m writing this letter to you with complete humbleness, with a trusting heart for your understanding, and a great amount of joy.
At Jake’s Memorial Service, Danny Chauncey spoke to Samuel directly from the stage and told him to look around the room. He said we know your daddy is gone, but there’s a whole lot of uncles in this room that are here for you. I’ll never forget that moment as I looked into those sad, broken-hearted eyes. Well, after much thought and prayer I have a very special call to send to you. One of the “firsts” that is upon us now is that funny, lighthearted, blue eyed, dimpled cheeks little boy is 18 and about to graduate, and I would be honored and humbled if you could honor Jake in helping Samuel purchase his first car. Jake loved showering me and Samuel with gifts when he could, and I know this would have been his best daddy moment to get his son a car. I’m asking us to all come together in a unique way to bless him, and get him started as he begins walking the path designed by God for his life. Would you please consider being a part of the family that Danny talked about to Samuel?
He graduates later this month and I’m hoping we can gift him with this and celebrate this First in a very memorable way.
Can you even imagine!!!
Thank you in advance. I set up this Go Fund Me account, but if you’d rather send a check or Venmo that would be great as well. ALL this will go directly to the purchase of a vehicle, insurance, and tag, and any remaining will be set aside for him. None of this is to me.
If you wish to give anonymously through this app, but want Samuel to know you helped out, please send me a note through messenger and I will let him know.
I love you all. I’ve chosen you all after much prayer and tears for the part you played in Jake’s life.