| If Tomorrow Starts Without Me To My Family and Friends, If tomorrow starts without me, And I'm not there to see, If the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me; I wish so much you wouldn't cry the way you did today, While thinking of the many things, we didn't get to say. I know how much you love me, As much as I love you, And each time that you think of me, I know you'll miss me too; But when tomorrow starts without me, Please try to understand, That an angel came and called my name, And took me by the hand, And said my place was ready, In heaven far above, And that I'd have to leave behind; All those I dearly love. But as I turned to walk away, A tear fell from my eye For all my life, I'd always thought, I didn't want to die. I had so much to live for, So much left yet to do, It seemed almost impossible, That I was leaving you. I thought of all the yesterdays, The good ones and the bad, I thought of all the love we shared, And all the fun we had. If I could relive yesterday, Just even for a while, I'd say good-bye and kiss you And maybe see you smile. But then I fully realized, That this could never be, For emptiness and memories, Would take the place of me. And when I thought of worldly things, I might miss come tomorrow, I thought of you, and when I did, My heart was filled with sorrow. But when I walked through heaven's gates, I felt so much at home. When God looked down and smiled at me, From His great golden throne, He said, "This is eternity, And all I've promised you." Today your life on earth is past, But here life starts anew. I promise no tomorrow, But today will always last, And since each day's the same way, There's no longing for the past You have been so faithful, So trusting and so true. Though there were times you did some things, You knew you shouldn't do. But you have been forgiven, And now at last you're free. So won't you come and take my hand, And share my life with me? So when tomorrow starts without me, Don't think we're far apart, For every time you think of me, I'm right here, in your heart. Author unknown |
| He was so sweet. Any animal was his muse. Any small child, he was their entertainer. Any tear, he wiped away with a smile. Any under-dog, he went to bat for. Any injustice, he made right. He is my inspiration. Dylan had many nick-names, the one that stuck was 'the Boy'. He was ALL boy through and through. |
| Giving Maurice lovin's.. |
| Dylan & Cousin Stephanie at Auntie and Todd's wedding |
| Dylan & cousin 'Cam-Cam' July 2005 |
| EVERYONE! Please fill out a National Survey on the Choking Game It only takes a minute and it's anonymous |
| Niagara Falls, United States side 2004 |
Dylan was a traveller. Boston paved the way to seeing all of New England, from there to Michigan
and all points in between. Off to the Islands or Florida. Traveling was just another way to learn.
Dylan's intellect was his golden ticket, science and nature were his favorites. Proud to be on the
honor roll and National BETA club.
and all points in between. Off to the Islands or Florida. Traveling was just another way to learn.
Dylan's intellect was his golden ticket, science and nature were his favorites. Proud to be on the
honor roll and National BETA club.
Fireworks, SlimJim's, Yoo-Hoo's,
Microwave popcorn, Steve Erwin (The
Crocodile Hunter) Lobster Dinners,
lightening storms, capture the flag,
Runescape, watching Mythbusters
and being with Teddy were Dylan's
favorite things.
Microwave popcorn, Steve Erwin (The
Crocodile Hunter) Lobster Dinners,
lightening storms, capture the flag,
Runescape, watching Mythbusters
and being with Teddy were Dylan's
favorite things.
Kate's personal story:
I held my baby in my arms on August 29, 1994. Stroking his face, running my thumb along the
bridge of his nose, listening to him breathe. Wondering what the future would hold for the two of
us. I kissed his tiny cheek and whispered "Here we go Buddy, I don't know how, but here we go".
For 11 years he and I were a family,"KateandDylan". We thrived on adventures, learning new
things, daily silliness and just being together.
In the blink of an eye, everything I knew STOPPED. Casually walking into Dylan's bedroom on
that Wednesday night I never would have imagined, that 15 feet from where I was just sitting,
Dylan was playing a 'game' - the Choking Game- a 'game' he lost his life to. I held my sweet
boy for the last time on October 7, 2005. Stroking his face, running my thumb along the bridge
of his nose, noticing the freckles many afternoons of sun at the beach had left on his face.
Cradling him, his head resting once again in the crook of my arm, his long legs spilling onto the
chair next to me, feeling the weight of his pending adolescence both on my lap and in my heart.
Listening to him breath, I whisper " I love you Buddy, I already miss you so badly, I don't know
how, but I will go on from here." As despair and extreme sadness entered my heart, my son, my
only child, my best friend took his last breath and left this world. My ignorance and Dylan's
innocence were contributing factors in his death.
Please take the opportunity I wish I had to protect my child - Let them know in no uncertain terms
: The Choking Game IS NOT SAFE!
Dylan and I had the normal parent/child talks about the dangers of doing drugs and drinking and
all of the other destructive behaviors I knew were coming down the pike, so to speak, as he'd
just turned 11, and was entering Middle School. Until he was on life support in Jacksonville
Florida- I'd never heard of this 'game' kids his age are playing. As he lay unconscious in the
hospital on a ventilator, being assessed by EEG's and neurologists - Specialists reading the
results "Sorry, no response". The pain in my soul was excruciating, I had no point of relativity
for what was about to happen. Friends, family and medical staff relayed information about the
'choking game' they'd seen on the news.
Apparently, Dylan Blake (my boy) fit the 'typical' profile of being an active, positive, adventurous,
happy-go-lucky, great student, well-adjusted little guy and the mechanism he used to try the
choking game by himself fit exactly with so many other victims. Dylan was the type of kid who
wasn't going to do drugs and the choking game, according to the kids who know about it-
think it's 'safe' and 'not illegal'. The objective in partaking in this activity is to apply pressure
to a major artery to prevent blood flow and oxygen from getting to the brain. The intent is to get
a floaty, dream-like feeling right before passing out. Then when the pressure is released air and
blood rush to the brain and give a light-headedness. Children have been known to do this
together at slumber parties, in groups and alone.
I didn't know of Dylan doing it until 3 weeks after his death when information began to surface.
Apparently this was not the first time he'd done the choking game. Dylan was famous for walking
around the house shirtless showing off his big muscles - if there were marks on his neck on any
given day, (one of the signs) it would have been obvious. He had no other signs of previously
activity. Catching the signs is not reliable prevention, you now know the dangers - talk to you
kids - make it clear the choking game KILLS.
Doing this causes BRAIN-DAMAGE, AND possibly DEATH
The 'Choking Game' Kills Kids!
Literally, within minutes, Dylan Blake was robbed of his life.
Robbing me of my son, my primary reason for living. The feelings, I can't even put into words. Stripped to the
core of my being, a gaping wound where he used to be. Who am I without actively being Dylan's 'Mum'? Since I
was 20 years old, his happiness, his security, his activities were my purpose. Now what?
Right now all I know is that I need to let Parents know! It happened in my house and maybe in my
neighborhood! Is it happening in your house? Do your kids know about it? Have they done it?
If only I'd known to talk about it with Dylan he might be right here tonight snuggling on the other side of the couch
with me watching TV. It's worth your child's life, any child you know, to ask a simple question. "Do you know
this 'game' WILL kill you!
I held my baby in my arms on August 29, 1994. Stroking his face, running my thumb along the
bridge of his nose, listening to him breathe. Wondering what the future would hold for the two of
us. I kissed his tiny cheek and whispered "Here we go Buddy, I don't know how, but here we go".
For 11 years he and I were a family,"KateandDylan". We thrived on adventures, learning new
things, daily silliness and just being together.
In the blink of an eye, everything I knew STOPPED. Casually walking into Dylan's bedroom on
that Wednesday night I never would have imagined, that 15 feet from where I was just sitting,
Dylan was playing a 'game' - the Choking Game- a 'game' he lost his life to. I held my sweet
boy for the last time on October 7, 2005. Stroking his face, running my thumb along the bridge
of his nose, noticing the freckles many afternoons of sun at the beach had left on his face.
Cradling him, his head resting once again in the crook of my arm, his long legs spilling onto the
chair next to me, feeling the weight of his pending adolescence both on my lap and in my heart.
Listening to him breath, I whisper " I love you Buddy, I already miss you so badly, I don't know
how, but I will go on from here." As despair and extreme sadness entered my heart, my son, my
only child, my best friend took his last breath and left this world. My ignorance and Dylan's
innocence were contributing factors in his death.
Please take the opportunity I wish I had to protect my child - Let them know in no uncertain terms
: The Choking Game IS NOT SAFE!
Dylan and I had the normal parent/child talks about the dangers of doing drugs and drinking and
all of the other destructive behaviors I knew were coming down the pike, so to speak, as he'd
just turned 11, and was entering Middle School. Until he was on life support in Jacksonville
Florida- I'd never heard of this 'game' kids his age are playing. As he lay unconscious in the
hospital on a ventilator, being assessed by EEG's and neurologists - Specialists reading the
results "Sorry, no response". The pain in my soul was excruciating, I had no point of relativity
for what was about to happen. Friends, family and medical staff relayed information about the
'choking game' they'd seen on the news.
Apparently, Dylan Blake (my boy) fit the 'typical' profile of being an active, positive, adventurous,
happy-go-lucky, great student, well-adjusted little guy and the mechanism he used to try the
choking game by himself fit exactly with so many other victims. Dylan was the type of kid who
wasn't going to do drugs and the choking game, according to the kids who know about it-
think it's 'safe' and 'not illegal'. The objective in partaking in this activity is to apply pressure
to a major artery to prevent blood flow and oxygen from getting to the brain. The intent is to get
a floaty, dream-like feeling right before passing out. Then when the pressure is released air and
blood rush to the brain and give a light-headedness. Children have been known to do this
together at slumber parties, in groups and alone.
I didn't know of Dylan doing it until 3 weeks after his death when information began to surface.
Apparently this was not the first time he'd done the choking game. Dylan was famous for walking
around the house shirtless showing off his big muscles - if there were marks on his neck on any
given day, (one of the signs) it would have been obvious. He had no other signs of previously
activity. Catching the signs is not reliable prevention, you now know the dangers - talk to you
kids - make it clear the choking game KILLS.
Doing this causes BRAIN-DAMAGE, AND possibly DEATH
The 'Choking Game' Kills Kids!
Literally, within minutes, Dylan Blake was robbed of his life.
Robbing me of my son, my primary reason for living. The feelings, I can't even put into words. Stripped to the
core of my being, a gaping wound where he used to be. Who am I without actively being Dylan's 'Mum'? Since I
was 20 years old, his happiness, his security, his activities were my purpose. Now what?
Right now all I know is that I need to let Parents know! It happened in my house and maybe in my
neighborhood! Is it happening in your house? Do your kids know about it? Have they done it?
If only I'd known to talk about it with Dylan he might be right here tonight snuggling on the other side of the couch
with me watching TV. It's worth your child's life, any child you know, to ask a simple question. "Do you know
this 'game' WILL kill you!
| Always a Constant From day one - there was a constant. A constant buzz in my life. A constant mind to cultivate. A constant place to bestow all the love my heart held. Only the word 'constant' doesn't imply an end. The buzz has been silenced. That mind has been quieted. My child is no longer available for all my love to be physically bestowed upon. Being the single parent of an only child was an experience I wouldn't trade for anything. Being the 'bereaved' parent of an only child is an experience I would trade anything and everything to escape. There is no escape - only coping. My other half still constantly buzzing, contemplating the world, and being loved within my heart and thoughts. -K. Blake |
Dylan's Story -
| Posted 01/01/06 | Updated 07/01/08 |
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| .A Non Profit Educational Foundation 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization Status Pending Note: Information on this website is not intended to take the place of medical advice. |
