Have you ever encountered anything or been a part of something completely unexpected that was so awesome that you could not stop crying and praising God for the sheer feeling of happiness?
I just got a call from a young lady in the office at the Home Depot store where my son Jake worked for so long and she said the store employees had been raising money in memory of Jake since his death on June 17. She said the corporate offices were going to send a check along with a substantial amount of cash that I could pick up in the next few days.
We had recently ordered his headstone and are waiting on it to be finished and I told her part of the money would go to pay that off and that we wanted to do something very nice with the balance to pay tribute to Jake. I don't know what that will be just yet as it will be a decision for all of us to make.
The outpouring of love, condolences, prayers, financial support and just downright neighborly Christian acts of kindness have overwhelmed and humbled me. I knew we all had a winner with Jake. We all knew he was something else and just exhibited qualities of a depth that we lacked and I knew he had many friends, but I wasn't aware of the level of feelings that so many had for him.
As you know if you've been reading since he died, we were also blessed with a substantial amount of money from the Homer Fund which is a non-profit fund of Home Depot where employees are assisted with various needs, and to be again blessed in such a way is almost beyond belief.
I will forever Praise God in Thanksgiving for giving us 40 years with Jake and forever remember in prayer for God to Bless in a very Special Way the employees of Home Depot and The Home Depot Company
to be able to continue in their success.
Jake would be humbled beyond words and bursting with pride in his company and completely giving God the credit.
My lesson, you expect to read the accolades after someone very famous passes away but for someone with the grace, dignity, simplicity and humility of just a "regular" guy such as Jake is heartwarming.
Regular guy? There was nothing regular about Jake.
Mollye what a wonderful tribute to Jake! He touched so many lives and still is!
ReplyDeleteNot at all. I wish I had Jake's compassion and his ability to love everyone. I most emphatically don't :) He had the qualities of a true Christian and I believe that is because he retained the humility and the open mindedness natural to young children. I have always liked Home Depot but this story just makes me like the store more. This is a very heartwarming gesture that Jake's fellow workers made Miz Mollye. You have something very special happening here.
ReplyDeleteI am so thrilled for you that you have been blessed with so many wonderful tributes to Jake. Such a special angel, and so heartwarming that he left such a special mark on his world. God Bless. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteAnd once again Jake says "God Bless You".
ReplyDeleteDebbie
I am so happy for you. It make a parent proud to see how much other loved your child I was blessed by Nivida with a check that actual paid for my son's burial. We did not have the money to do so. I love what you have done in memory of your Son. He was so good with computers. I want to do something similar in his memory, but just haven't figured out how to do it.
ReplyDeleteI know that means so much to you and tells you just how much the people that worked with him liked him. When my husband went to be with Jesus ,so many of the men who had worked with him,for him and he had helped came to me and did so many wonderful things for me in his name. They roofed my house, cut my grass, cleaned my pool,and fixed everything that was broken! They all said he would have done that for them.
ReplyDeleteLove, Dottie
Praise God for the kindness of these people, and the precious legacy Jake left the world sweetie.
ReplyDeleteHi Miss Mollye..I always had heard that Home Depot was a good company, now I am glad they have taken so much of my money over the years! We probably could have purchased a store by now!! So glad the employees are so wonderful and kind..warms your heart and mine!!
ReplyDeletehugs
Barb
You conitinue to give me chills dear Mollye! What a kind bunch of folks and Jake is way, way far above regular! Isn't it amazing how kindness is all around us when we need it most? I am so happy that you continue to have Jake live on thru those who love him!
ReplyDeleteHugs, heck... two hugs:) Have a blessed evening!
Miz.M. I am so happy and proud right along with you and family. How wrong we can be about some folks sometimes. Of course us moms know we have a special kid and it is even better when we found out how special that kid was to others too. Blessings
ReplyDeleteQMM
wow. what a blessing indeed. home depot is to be commended on their efforts and their recognition of what a fine person your jake was.
ReplyDeleteblessings, love and peace to you,
terry lee
I am so happy for you. Home Depot has been so good to Jake's family, it goes to show how well they thought of him. Hope you are well my friend...:-)Hugs
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing!!! He touched SO many.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post. I know it must be so uplifting to you to know how much Jake was loved by his co-workers.
ReplyDeleteHe was so loved and well thought of, and what kindness there is in this world. It warms the heart. Susie xxx
ReplyDeleteMollye, I have tears in my eyes. What a sweet, sweet thing for Jake's friends at Home Depot to do. I have just made a decision to pretty much shop exclusively with them. I should anyhow because the manager of Home Depot held it open after closing hours years ago when we had a hurricane headed at us. My flashlight went out, and I had to drive through a torential downpour to get there, but he had TWO flashlights for me. I am eternally grateful for their kindness.
ReplyDeleteChecking in from blog break to see what's going on in your world, and I loved reading this! I hope to be blogging again in a week or so. Have missed YOU! Thanks for the prayers for Mr. Magpie. They worked!
Love you, girl...
XO,
Sheila :-)
Mollye, I'm sure he learned by you wonderful example my sweet friend!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Leann
Perhaps you could start a scholarship fund and young men and women working at Home Depot could benefit from that. My sister in law lost her younger sister many years ago and Candy was attending Metro State College. They set up a scholarship fund. It was neat to see kids benefit from something otherwise so tragic and made the family happy to do it! Whatever you do you know Jake was so well loved. I am so glad you are going to be able to take care of his head stone. God Bless You sweet sis! Anne
ReplyDeleteThat kind of company deserves our business. Bless them, bless Jake.
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