Two-year-old boy comforted after dad's death with teddy bears made from his police uniform
'Malachi has been asking for his daddy a lot which is hard. I don’t know how to respond to him yet'
A two-year-old boy has been given teddy bears made from his dad's uniform after he died earlier this year.
Blake Synder was a police officer from St Louis, America. Attending a disturbance while on duty, the 33-year-old father was shot and killed on 6th October.
After Blake died, his wife, Elizabeth Synder, has revealed that their two-year-old son Malachi doesn't yet understand that his daddy won't be coming home.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10207393772231779&set=a.1332832050135.2039779.1511060888&type=3&theater
Speaking to KTVI she said: 'Malachi has been asking for his daddy a lot which is hard. I don't know how to respond to him yet.'
However, to help remember his dad as Malachi gets older, Elizabeth has had his old police uniform turned into two teddy bears.
Sharing a picture of Malachi cuddling both bears on Facebook, Elizabeth said: 'These beautiful bears were made for us from Blake's uniforms'.
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https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10207369281819534&set=a.1332832050135.2039779.1511060888&type=3&theater
In an earlier post, the mum opened up about her late husband, saying: 'My life was forever changed the day I started dating Blake Curtis. His love, kindness, generosity and overall goofy personality won me over before I knew it.
'The last 6 years of my life spent with him showed me just how deep love can be and just how fast it can be taken away.'
Elizabeth called Blake a 'perfect' father, saying: 'He loved Chi with every fiber of his being and wanted the world for him.
'These two boys mean everything to me, and I'm thankful I have a bit of Blake still here with me.'
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10207351005242631&set=a.1332832050135.2039779.1511060888&type=3&theater
Since sharing the photo of Blake's new bears, the post has already been reacted to over 33,000 times on Facebook, with over 1,400 supportive comments.
One Facebook user said: 'What wonderful idea. So sorry for the lost of your Dear loving husband and father. I will remember your family in my prayers.Elizabeth.'
Another said: 'I'm so sorry for your loss. This is a darling way to have your son remember your husband. Your husband is a hero in my eyes. I believe all first responders are special kinds of people. Bless you and your family!'
Charlotte Whistlecroft is a former Family writer at GoodTo. She obtained a BA in Theology and Theological Studies at Durham University, going on to study a masters at City University London in 2016. Since leaving GoodTo she has worked as a Social Video Researcher at Mail Online and is now Assistant Producer at BBC Sport.
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