On this fruitful day, a child of light was born. I remember playing “Hey Jude” on loop during his birth to make sure that was the first thing he’d ever hear whenever he decided to bless his presence upon this Earth.

He reached out and grabbed my hand as I introduced myself as his father, and assured him just how much I was going to love and care for him. I shed a tear within this moment as one does when caught in a moment of such pure beauty. Little did I know just how much he was going to aide me in becoming the very man I am today. His name is Jude Scott Schobel, my son, my hero, and my best friend.

Jude always loved music, even as a small child. Me, him, his mom and Lorelei would often play songs in the car and all sing together. He had great taste in music too, one of his favorite songs to sing “Teenagers” by My Chemical Romance, which he was very good at. He was so incredibly excited whenever I told him he could say the swear word while singing the song and he made sure you heard him say it.

At the early age of five years old, he had already learned how to play Zelda’s Lullaby with his ocarina we had gotten him for his birthday. It was a replica of the very ocarina Link used to save Hyrule and he was very proud of it. Just recently, I was teaching him how to read sheet music on it which he picked up on very quickly, he was an incredibly smart and talented soul with a love of knowledge.

His inspiration will forever live on as a reason to learn more and to do better each and every day. It’s never too late to learn, it’s never too late to do better, me and Jude were always very big believers on that aspect of life. I’d always assure him that the more you practice, the more effort you put in, the better you’ll become at anything you do. He took those words of advice within stride as he put them into action every day of his life.

Jude always had the biggest smile whenever you’d talk to him, he loved spreading good cheer just like his old man. He always had a joke to tell, a compliment to give, or a fact that he was proud to know and willing to share with whoever he got a chance to talk to. His favorite thing was science, geology specifically.

■ SCHOBEL, 7 His mother, Rylee Schobel, was very into crystals and their powers to heal one’s soul, and he looked up to his mother very much. Often times he would tell me stories of how he got to go ghost hunting with mom, or how she gave him a reading he was proud to share. They’d sing karaoke together and dance around the house to their favorite music, as well as play video games both at home and over the internet when he wasn’t with her. They had a very strong bond that mothers and sons hope to achieve within the lifetime of a relationship together. A relationship of love, care, sharing, and fun.

On another miraculous day when the stars did, yet again align, Jude’s little sister, Lorelei Frankie-Lynn Schobel, was born. Jude held her in his arms directly after her birth and introduced himself as her big brother that loved her so very much. That he did, as the years went by, he proved to love and protect her every single day. They were absolutely inseparable, they spent most of their time playing video games, watching videos or cartoons, having nerf battles, doing puzzles, anything they had a chance to share.

Anytime Lorelei was sad, Jude would always do his best to make his little sister happy again. He would read to her, hug her, help her brush her teeth, teach her new things; he was a fantastically caring and loving elder brother. They always said they were going to be roommates and just live together forever because they didn’t know how to be without the other. His inspiration will forever be with Lorelei and I know he will be a guardian angel to her for the rest of her blessed life. I’ve assured her that he is in the room with her at every moment, continuing to watch over and protect his little sister that he loves so incredibly much.

Jude also loved his Me Ma and Po Po, Audrey and Scottie Schobel. They spent many days together, having the time of their lives. Jude was his Po Po’s number one right hand man as he would help him in his mechanic shop, feed cows with him, and build anything he could help his Po Po with. He loved it whenever his Po Po would buy him a scratch off and scratch it off with him in hopes to win it big. He always agreed to split it with Po Po if he ever got that million dollars.

Jude would love it whenever he was with his Me Ma too, he and Lorelei always shouted out a simultaneous cheer whenever they heard they were spending the night at their house. Him and his Me Ma would tend the garden, feed the deer, squirrels, and birds, and cook together. She would take him to a homeschool class every Tuesday where he would trade Pokémon cards with his friends and return with so many stories of the good times he had playing with them.

He was always the life of the party and would gather a posse of kids within no time whenever he went out. He loved other kids very much and would do anything to help them, as he would anybody he met. He loved his family so incredibly much as well and would spend time with them as much as he could. He spent many days going to his aunt and uncle’s house, Samantha and Victor Alarcon, having a party every time.

Jude also had many aunts and uncles that loved him more than he could fathom that were in his life because of how special and precious he truly was. Jude is immensely loved and cared about, which he was blessed to know within his beautiful life. How could one not love such a kind and caring soul as he?

Jude was a hero just like the legends he was so very fond of. He would oftentimes volunteer at Gardenia Jannsen Animal Shelter in La Grange with his little sister and Me Ma due to his love of all living things. He would always want to help anyone he saw in need whether it be a man, woman, or child. Shortly after Jude’s passing on February 15, he ended up saving the lives of 8 children by donating his organs as he would’ve wanted. A piece of Jude will forever live on within them as well as his inspiration to this world.

A child of light blessed upon this Earth, taken away far too soon. His life will live on, his inspiration will be remembered, and he will never be forgotten. I thank the Lord every day for blessing me with such an amazing son that I was fortunate enough to have. I wish it wasn’t this way, but life occasionally likes to take a turn for the worst when one least expects it.

I thank God for my little girl, Lorelei, who is healing stronger each day with the aid of her guardian angels, Jude and Rylee, from up above. A flower wilted too soon that will end up with the emergence of several more flowers with the seeds he left behind. Jude Scott Schobel, my son, my friend, my hero.

The inspiration and love you’ve shared with this world will forever be remembered and inspire others to take each day upon this earth as a blessing. You never know when something beautiful may end, so make sure you enjoy every single day you have with the people you love. Spreading love was exactly what Jude did and will continue to do until the very end of time. Rest in peace my groovy little dude, my sweet and caring Jude Bug. I love you more than you could ever possibly know, and I know so many others do too.

The sun sets in the distance as the moon begins to shine. The bright shining star may be absent from the sky, but he shall never be forgotten. Thank you for being you, Jude Scott Schobel. You will forever be an inspiration to us all.

Funeral service will be on Wednesday, March 5, 2:00 p.m. at Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus with Pastor Alan Kethan officiating. Visitation at the funeral home will be from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. A burial will be held at Odd Fellows Rest Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to Gardenia Jannsen Animal Shelter, 240 Svoboda Ln, La Grange, 78945, Columbus Rescue Dogs, 1798 Frelsburg Rd., Cat Spring, 78933, or We Be Boarding, c/o Kathy Mc-Connell, 24956 Bernard Rd., New Ulm, 78950.

Online condolences may be given at www.hennekefuneralhome.

com.