R is for Remembering Blake

This year had been a year of healing since my nephew passed away. On Sat. evening we met at his grave with family and 19 candles to remember what would have been his 19th birthday. We shared memories of him and acts of service that we did in honor of him for his birthday present.

Ryan found a lady at DI that was doing Christmas shopping with her kids and paid for their cart of things. I put some things on KSL for free and a lady came and got it for her nephew. Gina's dad helped out an older man and woman by giving them a part they needed and fixed their microwave. Ken is going to go to the temple and do work there for his service. Jimmy gave an extra tip for someone to buy a present for their child.

We lit the candles and sang happy birthday.

We also gathered 19 pair of gloves to give to a homeless shelter and Ken and Gina wrote up a tag that I put a picture with to attach to the gloves. Mom & Dad donated the puffy vest that was supposed to be Blake's Christmas present and then we also gave some cash also. We went to the shelter on Sunday and delivered what we had. It smelled like smoke and was a little scary. We were greeted by a nice homeless man as we entered and then another came out and started telling the kids to stay in school and do well. He said for most them that was their downfall to where they are today.

Gina read a letter she had written to one of the donor families that have been staying in contact with them. Their son received part of Blake's femur bone. I know it's been nice for them to hear how Blake's gift has changed their son's life. Some other people have also written to them. Two people are able to see now and I can't remember what the other one was.

Another thing my family did this year is run in a 5k for a Donation organization. We were out of town for Jocelyn's wedding so we missed it. They wrote Team Blake on their shirts and had a poster. I hope we do it again every year.

We also got together on the one year mark of when Blake passed away and I wrote a whole post about just that day. You can read that here

http://jimmyandang.blogspot.com/2011/11/year.html