July 4, 1990- January 23, 2016 BLA.KE IIU1VTER I was sitting around a fire with my friends the Saturday night after Blake Hunter's death that morning. We were waffling between small talk and big talk - cheerful talk and tearful talk - trying to keep our minds light while our hearts were undeniably heavy. One of my friends suddenly gasped, "Oh my gosh," as her jaw dropped and she pointed to the sky. The shooting star lasted long enough for us all to stand and turn, watch it complete its fall, and end with one final, silent burst oflight, burning a glowing trail in the night sky. It was hands-down the most magnificent shooting star any of us had ever seen. God only gave us 25 years of Blake Hunter's light. It was so brief, yet so bright. It affected every single person fortunate enough to experience it. It did not matter how dark your night was, and it did not matter if one person or thousands of people were present. It :\lE,\lOHI.\L :J:l:J did not matter if you were grabbing a quick coffee one-on-one or if you were just a face in the audience and he was on stage. Blake was there to shine his light, and he did so without ceasing for 25 years. But like that shooting star, Blake did not go without leaving a glowing trail behind him. He did not shine so that he would be glorified - Blake served as a mirror for the light of his Savior. His memory and his legacy live on in the countless people he influenced as he worked to expand God's kingdom. I now know that at the end of my life, the light at the end of the tunnel will be a little bit brighter because my friend Blake has been added to it. He will be waiting in that light at the end of the tunnel for us all, shining brighter than ever. By Claire He.ffley
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