Yes my son Jake has been gone since June 17 and we got his headstone in today. I think it is only fitting that everyone have something to identify them and let people know just who is buried here. What kind of guy/gal were they? What were their interests and so on and so forth. And I believe we as a family did a fine job in the space we had in letting people know a bit about our boy.
From the front of his headstone, you can see across the top that his name was Jake Gregory Wendling. I named him Jake as it was a nickname of my grandfather and coincendentally was the name of my OB/GYN who delivered Jake, so he always thought we named the baby after him! The name Gregory is my maiden name and his father's name was Wendling.
At the top left you can see the emblem of the BSA and that he was an esteemed Eagle Scout! Quite an achievement he earned at the age of 15.
There is a really nice and recent porcelain picture of Jake wearing a New Orleans Saints cap. He was such a huge Saints fan.
You can see that Jake was born on January 3, 1970 and died on June 17, 2010.
He was a beloved son and beloved baby brother of Lori, Shari and Buddy.
He was a Christian signified by the engraved cross on the bottom right hand side and the scripture taken from Romans was a favorite of Jake's and Shari's.
And on the back of his headstone the family name WENDLING is large enough for any friends who may visit and not know where he is buried to be able to easily find.
And the inscription under his last name lets everyone know that Jake indeed is very Cheerfully tending the flowers in Heaven as he surely is, because everyone who knew Jake knew his passion was in caring for nature.
Lori picked out beautiful fall flowers for his first arrangement and it is tied off with his Home Depot Tony Stewart bandana.
Buddy cheerfully tended the soil and our day was ended.
A little tired, a little sweaty, a little sad in having to leave and a little happy in knowing we did something pleasing to Jake.
Such a precious and loving post. The headstone is truly lovely. God Bless. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteAwe so sweet momma. It really was a touching day wasn't it. I think Jake has the most peaceful spot I have ever seen. Love You !
ReplyDeleteI believe Jake is so pleased by this! ...How I wish I'd have known him.
ReplyDeleteYour brave, positive spirit is such an inspiration! By the way, that is my favorite Bible verse, too!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful headstone Mollye and what a beautiful family you have. I am sure Jake was with you all today as you made his grave and headstone look so nice. Be well my friend...Hugs
ReplyDeleteA beautiful fall setting for a special and thoughtful rememberance of Jake. Be joyful in your heart with memories....Sue
ReplyDeleteMollye - thanks for sharing this with us. I think it's a very fitting headstone for Jake. Big hugs and lots of love to you.
ReplyDeleteYou can tell he was loved and adored. It is nice for him and for you. sandie
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful headstone. You have shown the world what a wonderful man he was. His light will always shine.
ReplyDeleteOh sweet friend, that is the most perfect headstone ever! Love and thought went into it's design and I know that Jake loves it! I am so happy that you got exactly what you wanted! You are correct in the fact that everyone who looks at it will know how much Jake is loved!
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed day my friend! HUGS!
prayed for you, mollye. i am reading more of your previous posts to understand your story. i've got bits and pieces here and there but i know that's not enough so i'm reading.
ReplyDeleteGod is in control.
oh mollye. tears are in my eyes as i write this. what a sweet and loving post. the labor of love put into the headstone was well worth it. it's a perfect and befitting memorial to your precious jake.
ReplyDeleteno one who visits his grave will have a doubt of how much he was loved and cherished.
much love,
terry lee
The stone for Jake is beautiful. ((HUGS))
ReplyDeleteOh Mollye! You are so special. I am praying always in my spirit for you and I know God hears our prayers . My grandma once told me God bottles the tears we cry for others . Our bottles must be full.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Dottie
A lovely post Mollye...thanx for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteHUGS ~victoria~
A beautiful memorial Miz M. I love the verses and the quotation you used. So fitting because I too believe that Jake is happily tending flowers and having a great time.
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful! And Mollye, I know I've told you how strong I think you've been through all this....but something just came to me as I read this particular post...Reading about YOUR strength has somehow made ME a better person...and hopefully whenever I may need more strength in my life....I will have it....because of YOU.
ReplyDeleteYes everyone should have a place to be remembered. A place for us to go and remember them. A special place where we can go and empty your heart to them. A place such as this.
ReplyDeleteLove to you,
Debbie
Oh, my dear. I'm just sitting here shaking my head, with all sorts of emotions wandering through. Sadness again for the loss, smiles for the photos, the thoughtfulness, the "victory over death" of the quote on the back of the headstone.
ReplyDeleteAnd a tiny bit of deja vu, too, remembering a day spent planting and weeding the corner where the infants are buried at "Mitchell's cemetery", reading the headstones of all those other babies, and leaving a fresh toy car for him.
There's a sweetness to doing it, isn't there, just as you've written. I'd never have thought it, but it's there.
Sending love and hugs.
Such a precious, heart filled post. I love you sweet sis.
ReplyDeleteMOLLYE, SWEET MOLLYE,
ReplyDeleteI HAVE NO WORDS AS THE TEARS FALL FROM MY EYES. BEAUTIFUL MEMORIAL TO JAKE.
I LOVE MAX...HE BRINGS YOU TO THE CROSS AND THEN REMINDS US JESUS DIDN'T STAY THERE...PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW.
HUGS
LOVE
SIMPLY DEBBIE
Mollye, this is absolutely the perfect headstone and tribute to Jake and to the Lord! I love everything you thought of and did for the gravesite.
ReplyDeleteI love you so much and want you to know I am thinking of you and holding you close at heart.
XOXOX,
Sheila
Your son would feel so blessed by this monument to him and his life
ReplyDelete