Julie with all of Jake's boys:)
Josh 
Jax
Jordy
JacobThis year for the 5 year anniversary I had a memorial dinner for Jake. Usually we have dinner at Joe Morley's (Jake favorite up here) with the boys and my family. This year I wanted to do a little more. We still went to Joe Morley's but I rented the banquet room. I invited my family and Jake's family, and my grandparents. We had dinner and then everyone shared memories of Jake. Ann (his mom) spoke first. She brought pic's that we put on the wall as a slide show and told the boys all the stories. It was great. She even had the pants he wore when he was in his tractor accident when he was 5. She gave them to Jax after which was very sweet. This is one of the stories the boys talk about almost daily so the pants are great to have. Then all the boys shared their feelings. Jax told how he remembers his dad teaching him to ride a horse, and when he got to ride on the cow drive by himself for the first time. Jax has several memories and often tells them to his brothers. Josh shared a picture he drew of Jesus and daddy Jake. He also said that he isnt sure how but he remembers being at mine and Jake's wedding. He had to fight through his tears to get that out. Jordy shared his picture of he and Jake on the 4 wheeler. He was a little over a year old when it was taken. It was about a month before Jake died. Jacob showed his daddy's cowboy boots and told everyone that his daddy was a cowboy. It was really sweet. I shared a few memories of my own and expressed my love for Jake and to all my family who has helped us so much. I opened it up for anyone to share after that. Most of Jake's sisters shared memories and my dad and grandpa told stories too. After everyone was done we watched the "daddy video". It was a great night and a great way to remember Jake. It is so great for the boys to hear about their dad. Josh has a few memories and Jax has a bunch, but Jacob and Jordy dont have anything but what they are told. They love the stories and it really helps with their grief process. Thanks to everyone who came. A special thanks to Curtis for being a loving supportive husband who understands how important all of this is for me and the boys. He came and ran the projector for me and helped with all of it. It was actually his idea to do the dinner as well. I love him and am thankful for the life I have now. I also love Jake and I am thankful for the life I had with him and I cherish the memories I will always have. I love my family and I love my boys. I have so many blessings that I am thankful for.
Families are Forever!
5 comments:
Wow Jules, what a wonderful way to remember Jake. I'm sure it was a very happy/sad/laughing/crying, basically crazy emotional evening. Just wanted you to know that I love you too!!!
Also, I was thinking how great Curtis is. Most people only fall in love once, but you were lucky enough to fall twice. Again, I love you and a big AMEN to "Families Are Forever"!
Oh Julie, what a wonderful thing to do. You are so amazing to your cute boys and seriously, I can tell how much you help them through this. Love you!
Wow what a great way to honor and remember him. That is neat that your older boys still have great memories. And how wonderful that Curtis is so supportive and lends the support that you need. You can tell that the both of you were meant to meet and grow together as a new family unit. Cool memorial...I am sure that Jake was glad to be remembered, but even happier that at the end of hte night you had someone to take you by the hand and lead you to your new home.
I feel so greatfull to have you as a friend jules. You are truely amazing and I just have to tell you how impressed my Jake was with Curtis at the Dinner party. He usually feels so out of place around my friends husbands because he says they are so much more educated than he is. But he really liked how down to earth Curtis is and so easy to talk too as well. I didn't know your Jake well, and I am sorry for that but I hope that I take the opportunity to get to know Curtis better.
I'm so glad that everything turned out so well. =)
Post a Comment