Jake as a Cub Scout at around the age of seven.
Upon Jake's death, I "inherited" one of Jake's journals and this excerpt came from one he began in 2004 and was the story of his life up until that time. In Jake's own words and spelling:)
"Shortly after my mothers father died which my whole family was close to, by then I was a freshman in high school I was a joker, and class clown but still I wasn't a good school student. I liked to get into a little trouble sneaking a cigarette once in awhile, cut class now and them. But there was one thing that I had great pride in I had become an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America, I really understood the scouting ways and the way a young man should act and live, and at that time the Scouts was my only real Gold Star."
It gave me reason to remember sweetly about Jake's scouting days. He began as a Cub and I was his Den Mom and then he advanced to Weblow and on to Boy Scout. He proudly wore his uniform and made many friends, some remained friends all his life.
I think Jake was about eleven here and had earned three badges at this point as a Boy Scout.
It was with humility and pride that his "old" scout leader came to his funeral to pay his respects. He was so shocked that Jake's life had ended so soon. My son Buddy realized that we had neglected to mention in Jake's obituary that he was an Eagle Scout, so Buddy wrote on a plain piece of paper the following:
"Jake was an Eagle Scout. Once (around the age of 14 or so) while at Garland Scout Ranch he and a close friend, Charles Young, were out hiking and were miles from camp. At some point in their hike they came upon a lake or pond and saw an overturned boat on it's shore. They decided to investigate further and when Charles reached down to turn the boat over he was bitten in the wrist by a venomous snake. I believe that the snake was a copperhead, although it may very well have been a cotton mouth water moccasin. Both boys were very frightened, but were able to keep their senses about them and struck out for camp. Jake stayed right beside Charles the entire time and worked hard to keep both himself and Charles calm. They eventually reached camp and were able to receive medical attention for the snake bite"(and this note was propped up in his casket. Mr. Langley, his scout leader also wrote his name and troop number on the note.)
And Buddy goes on to write:
"Jake had already been confirmed to the "Order Of The Arrow" http://www.oa-bsa.org/ and was well on his way to becoming an Eagle Scout. This incident cemented his ascension to that highest of Scouting ranks. It is both honored and coveted among both scouts and their families. Jake represented the true nature and qualities needed to be an Eagle Scout. He was unwavering in his faith in the Lord, his desire to help others, and his belief that in order to live in a loving, caring society one must live to be a loving and caring person. He set that example every moment of his life. There never was nor will there ever be an Eagle Scout that better fit the mold of what every Eagle Scout should be. I was there when he received that promotion and I have never known a more proud moment in my life. As well as being my younger Brother, he was and remains my hero. My greatest influence in life for what a good and loving Christian man is supposed to be like. My Brother, my hero, my best friend. I miss him beyond measure."
Buddy Wendling,Jake's brother.
Jake receiving his Eagle Scout award at about age fifteen. A proud moment.
All the family got to take a plant home from Jake's funeral and I chose a simple split leaf philodendrem and it was in fact given by Mr. Langley and his wife. I'm reminded each day when I look at the plant of the special scouting days with Jake.
Awesome! I regret I didn't mention this more to Jake, but I think it is normal for us to have regrets. Isn't this just part of a humans make-up to assign some blame for things we cannot control even if the blame has to be on ourselves. I must stop doing that because it is a little slice of negativity that I cannot afford to have.
Moms and Grandmas please encourage your boys in scouting. It is such a worthwhile organization and truly helps shape your boy into an honorable young man.
And for you stay at home moms, consider volunteering. I promise you'll be so glad you did!
Check out Boy Scouts of America today!
TODAY'S LESSON FROM JAKE FOR ME: I believe that school and fitting in with the "normal" kids was difficult for Jake as he was diagnosed with a learning disability and may have seen himself as "different" from others so to speak, but as for his self esteem I think Jake exhibited a good feeling about himself because he saw the best in everyone and therefore I think overall he was treated fairly by most. He certainly had the opportunity to go "bad" and hang with the wrong crowd as it is often easier for kids to do, but he knew what was right and what was not, and he stuck to his values. I think when we're able to do that others admire and look up to someone who can do what is right in the face of adversity and with humility rather than arrogance, and Jake was not arrogant. So I think overall the lesson I got from this little story is to do the right thing even when doing the wrong thing would be easier. And not to live our lives riding the fence but to stand for something.
Thank you Lord for the priviledge of being Jake's Momma for forty years. It just was not long enough.
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JAKE'S STORY
I loved you the minute I knew I was pregnant. I loved you the minute you were born. Then I saw your face and fell in love some more. You were only a minute old but I knew I would die for you & to this day I still would. When you choose to have a child you make a conscious decision to allow your heart to walk around outside your body. Then if something happens to that child and you have to bury him a part of you dies with him
Jake was my youngest son who was killed on June 17, 2010. He was 40 years old but still "my baby". Left to tell his story are Mollye and Mike, Jake's mom and step-father; Skip and Jill, his dad and step-mother; his two sisters Lori and Shari, and his brother Buddy.
I hope you will get to know Jake as a person and what an awesome person he was. My wish is that you might leave here feeling just a bit more blessed from reading our memories of Jake our son, our brother and our friend.
Jake was my youngest son who was killed on June 17, 2010. He was 40 years old but still "my baby". Left to tell his story are Mollye and Mike, Jake's mom and step-father; Skip and Jill, his dad and step-mother; his two sisters Lori and Shari, and his brother Buddy.
I hope you will get to know Jake as a person and what an awesome person he was. My wish is that you might leave here feeling just a bit more blessed from reading our memories of Jake our son, our brother and our friend.
The purpose aside from paying tribute to Jake is to honor those who were a part of Jake's life. Friends he loved and friends who loved him and who loved us through our heartbreak. I especially acknowledge in love Jake's Home Depot Family.
Thank You For Visiting Jake's Story and God Bless You, mizmollye
Thank You For Visiting Jake's Story and God Bless You, mizmollye
Thursday, August 12, 2010
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Hi Molly, I am girl scout too when I was in grade school. I was very happy when my mom or dad bought me this pin to put on my collar. And yes the Jamboree, that was one experience that I won't forget.
ReplyDeleteGood for Jake he got the high rank in scouting I wish I did I love scouting. I lose my parents in an early years of my life and yes it's very normal to have regrets, we do what we do in that time that's what I put on my mind.
Thanks again for sharing, happy Thursday and God bless!
What a joy he must have been for you! I love what you say at the top, about letting your heart walk around outside your body. Amazingly put, and so true.
ReplyDeleteMama was a Den Mother to my brothers, too. It was lovely to watch. So many kids owe so much to the organization, and the wonderful moms and dads who keep it going, I'm sure we'll never know the half of it. Thank you for your work, and for this.
(I was such a tomboy, I wanted to be a Cub Scout, too, but had to settle for Camp Fire Girl!)
This was really nice, Mollye. When Jake said that "the Scouts was his only Gold Star at that time"--that was a powerful statement.
ReplyDeleteI love the way you're doing this blog, sharing so much about Jake (and from Jake), then telling us what you've learned. It has a wonderful devotional feeling. Bless you!
BTW, I tried to leave a message on your other blog too but I lost it before it would post. I'm too lazy to write it again. :) It was long...about my own HOME. Just wanted you to know, I'm in Lake Charles but from Longview, TX. Who knows how many times we've passed each other on the highways over the years? :-)
I loved reading this, he is so real to me even though I never met him, he sounds like a wonderful person. Determined, kind and true. A credit to you Mollye. Thank you for sharing Jake's life with us. Lots of love to you. Susie xxxxxxx
ReplyDeleteGreat message for all mom's and grandma's out there.......:-) Hugs
ReplyDeleteI so enjoy reading about your wonderful son Jake.
ReplyDeleteYou had alot to be proud of Mamma!
Hugs
Thanks for sharing this :)
xo
Patti
Thank you for sharing about your baby Jake. My daughter will always be my baby as well. I can easily understand how proud of him you are. I'll come back to read more as your story unfolds.
ReplyDeleteHugs to you and your family.
Wonderful message.
ReplyDelete