It’s been two months since St. Louis, Missouri father Blake Snyder passed away. According to NBC affiliate KSDK, the 33-year-old police officer was on duty in early October when he responded to a disturbance and was shot and killed. His shocking and sudden death left his wife Elizabeth immersed in grief, while caring for their 2-year-old son Malachi on her own.
Blake’s funeral on October 13 drew crowds of mourners in the thousands, with his fellow police officers showing up in droves in order to pay their respects. And while their show of support was surely of some comfort to his family, Elizabeth’s Facebook post just 10 days after his death soon revealed the depths of her pain:
“It’s been 10 days,” she wrote. “10 days since my heart was ripped from my chest. 10 days since my other half was taken from me. This pain that hasn’t subsided, that hasn’t alleviated, is unbearable and unending.”
Her words are utterly heartbreaking to read. And while that unbearable and unending pain she speaks of is undoubtedly still there today, there is one bright spot: Malachi.
“This child here — he has been the hope in my heartache,” she wrote. “He is the reason I get up each day. The reason I keep it together as best I can. The reason I push through. Malachi has been more cuddly and more attached than ever before and I couldn’t be more thankful for it. Because I need it right now. Even taking a picture feels unnatural and unreal. But I had to record just how much he means to me and how he is able to keep me going. He is my peace and my anchor during this devastating storm.”
On November 29, Elizabeth took to Facebook again — this time, to share a small, uplifting update.
“These beautiful bears were made for us from Blake’s uniforms,” she wrote, beneath a photo of Malachi hugging two teddy bears tight.
Needless to say, the image is touching hearts all over the Internet. The post has since gone viral, with over 21K likes and 5K shares so far, and hundreds of comments from well-wishers across the country.
“LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!” wrote Facebook user Jeremy Hawkins. “This makes me tear up yet feel incredibly pleased to know that this young man is in great hands. A heartfelt thank you goes out to your husband for his sacrifice … and to you for ensuring that your son will always know the kind of man that his father was.”
“Such a special gift,” wrote Sherri Edmiston. “Hope your both doing the best that you can be …. Sending love and prayers.”
We’re sending ours, too.