Here we are again God! “Please help me find the words for this story. It is not only my view but it’s a requested story that I do not want to mis-speak or offend anyone with incorrect information….AMEN!” This is what I know to be true and my lesson to be learned.

Have you ever felt like your world is on fire? Has your life ever been turned to ashes literally or figuratively? Why is it when something happens in your life, you suddenly start to see or hear things over and over everywhere you go. The only way I can explain what I am talking about is to think about the phenomenon of when you buy a new car and suddenly you start seeing the same car everywhere. But before you bought it you never saw one… ever. Why does this happen? I will explain towards the end of this story.

I want to remember a man, a legacy, and a tragic accident that happened just yesterday (June 3, 2025). I also want to remember and share what happened yesterday from my newly found optimistic God-loving perspective that I saw and heard from a long-way-away. I don’t know why but from the very second that I saw the photos and heard the news of this tragic accident; something took over me and I could only see the positives. I know its super sad, overwhelming, and going to be hard for everyone to get through but here is the story that I saw unfold yesterday.

I had the honor of knowing a man that was patient, strong, passionate, a extremely hard worker, and had a huge heart that took care of more people than I can even imagine. I have heard tons of the stories from him, others, and witnessed myself how much he loved his family, his restaurant, and his town. I call the man that used very few but powerful words…Jack.

Jack once told me that he was going to live forever no matter what. With how much that happened to his health and how many times he bounced back for years…I really started to believe him. He had high blood pressure, diabetes, heart surgery, and probably many more things that I didn’t even know about. But I know one thing for sure…He was not going to leave this earth until he was ready.

Every time I saw Jack he was sitting at the head of a large wooden dinner table with a stern look that terrified me. When I first met him, I feared him. I always thought he was going to yell or be mad. But never once did I ever hear him raise his voice. He only talked when he was ready. He was stern, powerful, and everyone knew when he was around even if he didn’t say a word. If Jack thought of something to be true, there was no way in heaven or hell you were going to change his mind. I will also tell you, I learned a ton from Jack as I sat at his table over the years.

I learned that he sat, watched, and listened to every person that came to eat at his table. I know that he was the first to sit down and the last to get up. It was his seat and his throne to watch over his kingdom. I think this table would feed full troops of people on a weekly basis. He would sit there in his chair and talk to the kids to see how they were, how school was going, and get hugs, kisses, and shake hands as people tried to come in or leave. He always made it look like you where the one that wanted it…not him. But I could tell he loved every bit of it. He would sit there with adults after the kids where running around and tell jokes, talk about random things that anyone brought up, and laugh.

When I sat at his table, he would tell me everything that had happened in the town since the last time I saw him. Also, he told me more dirty jokes than I think that this Sailor could handle… and they were always new and hilarious. He was sharp because I don’t recall ever hearing the same joke twice. I mean the man was born on April Fool’s Day. He was awesome and I will never forget him. I know that he is missed by everyone that was blessed to know him, even if they don’t know it.

Jack also loved to put salt on everything. He once told me that the salt gets into his blood stream and cleans his veins to help him stay strong and healthy. Jack sadly did not live forever on this earth, but I now know that he is living forever in heaven. I saw the signs he left yesterday and knew immediately he made it.

I see you up there Jack and I am so happy for you. I can’t wait to sit at your table in heaven and I know there are so many others here that you are hoping make it to dinner to join you. I can’t wait to hear the new jokes that you learned so far.

Jack and his even more amazing wife Shirley opened a short order window restaurant named Jack’s Quick Snack on March 4, 1972. This restaurant was everything to the family and town. Jack’s served the best hamburgers and hot dogs I have ever had. I have traveled the world, and I promise I have never had a better hamburger or hotdog anywhere. And this restaurant has survived the test of time. Until yesterday!

Jack and Shirley built everything in that restaurant. I think every member of the family and really any person that has lived in the town has worked at Jack’s. Jack’s is an iconic staple in Gretna, Va. I also know that Jack was never going to let his restaurant fail or be sold to anyone else. He said it and people have told me that he would never let that happen.

Yesterday, Jack’s Quick Snack completely burnt to the ground and was turned to ashes.

Now, here is the craziest part of the story and why I know that Jack had a hand in this.

I was told that before Jack passed away, he had a good friend that was a pastor of the local church. This pastor for years was always trying to get Jack to believe in God. Remember…Jack was a strong man of HIS beliefs and really was hard-headed to change even if the signs where right in front of him. Before Jack passed away, he was not able to speak and this pastor asked, “If you are ready to accept God into your heart… just close your eyes.” Jack closed his eyes as the pastor prayed for him.

Now, that Jack has passed away this restaurant has been hard for the family and for Shirley to take care of and was staring to become a burden on some. Jack’s Quick Snack was listed for sale on May 28, 2025. A week ago!!!

As I looked at the videos and photos of Jack’s Quick Snack engulfed in flames, I was extremely saddened. Then I saw a photo that completely changed my thoughts. I was smiling and crying at the same time. I saw a photo of Shirley being held and watching the fire burn up her and Jack’s dreams. The place that they spent every day of their lives in. The place that has help support so many lives and feed so many people.

I know how strong and optimistic Shirley really is. I felt a strong sense of relief coming through the photo. I could hear her telling us the story in the future and saying what I always hear from her. “Everything happens for a reason, everything has a purpose, and that she was so happy that nobody got hurt!” I know that’s not what was going through her mind in this photo, but I could just feel it. I know that there are people that feel that this could have been prevented or may even think it is their fault. But I don’t think that is possible.

Then immediately I thought to myself that Jack may have a hand in this fire, and this was his way of showing Shirley that he made it to heaven. If Jack did have a hand in it then there was no preventing this and no one is to blame. This fire was the only way that he could show her where he is. I felt that this is his way of sitting on his chair up in heaven still taking care of everyone, relieving the burdened, bringing his family together, and sticking to what he said to Shirley. “You will never sell this restaurant.”

Then the signs kept pouring in that day. This tragic fire pulled friends and family together. Support started pouring in from the town. The news set Jack’s Quick Snack on the pedestal of a legacy. Exactly what I believe Jack always wanted and worked so hard for.

I learned yesterday that just a few weeks ago a new fire suppression system was installed in the building, and it did not work. Everything in the restaurant was destroyed except two things. These two items could never be replaced. The two things Shirley wanted to survive did; her large wooden desk and a picture of her and Jack survived the flames. It is impossible for this to happen. I don’t care what anyone says or how many other possibilities I can come up with.

It is not possible for these not to be signs that Jack’s up there chilling with Jesus. He wants everyone to know and everyone to see the signs. I know I see them, and it makes me optimistic not sad. It’s just another plethora of signs that have been pouring in and if you are seeing these signs just take a second to listen to them. Take a second to hear how God uses tragedy to get you to see what he has been trying so hard for everyone to see.

Today, I was listening to K-love Christian radio and almost every song that I have heard has a line or two about fire and ash. It then reminded me of the buying a new car analogy I referenced earlier. I think that we see things that are important to us. So if you can’t see God, then you wont and can’t see his signs. I then remember what a fire represents in the bible. Just google it yourself if you don’t believe me. Fire is a powerful symbol associated with God. Fire is often depicted as consuming and purifying. Fire is often seen as a visual manifestation of God’s presence. Fire represents God’s presence, power, holiness, and judgment, as well as purification and transformation. While ash can symbolize repentance, mourning, and the transitory nature of earthly things. 

#17… Do you feel like your life is on fire, feel like you are losing everything, or you might not even be able to speak the words of your heart? Remember it’s never too late to close your eyes and ask God to help you though your pain. This does not mean for you to ask him to fix it but ask him to be with you while you go through them.

If I have learned one thing lately is that this really works for me…I promise! Just try it and KNOW it to be true. Feed your mind with your words and you will believe it. It will change your life for the good!

God Bless,

Recently Lost and Found

“It endured to the end! If it would have just been sold, it would have lost its respect. Someone could have tried to make a go of it but there will never be another true “Jack’s” and that’s ok. This one lived up to its name!” -Someone truly special to Jack