The holidays are all about spending quality time with family and friends. And because of that, it’s not always easy to celebrate meaningful moments when someone you love or care about has passed.
But when a person loses someone so close to them, and needs to find a way to cope, it can help to think about the good times shared with that special someone while they were still present on this Earth.
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And, it seems like Brantley Gilbert is doing just that.
The country music superstar, who lost his good buddy and sound technician Stephen Carey Brock back in December 2010, has now taken to Instagram with a personal tribute to his late biker pal, whom he considered one of his brothers.
“R.I.P. Carey … We miss you, and we love you, and we’re gonna ride again my brother,” Brantley emotionally captioned a photo, in reference to a song that he co-wrote in the wake of Carey’s death called “We’re Gonna Ride Again.”
The photo, which shows Brantley’s fallen friend’s gravestone, is featured alongside the singer’s heartfelt note. The memorial for Carey, who died at age 51, is surrounded by items which include a giant orange- and red-colored flower bouquet, a mini toy car, a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon and a dog tag. The grave marker features the words, “Beloved Son, Brother, Uncle, Daddy and Friend,” written across the front.
This isn’t Brantley’s first time mourning the loss of a biker friend who he considered a brother. In December 2015, the loving husband and new father said goodbye to Chris Wayne Hulsey — a fellow Georgian — with a heartfelt post on Facebook.
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“Makes you really stop and think about what is important in this holiday season,” Brantley wrote, at the time of his loss. “Y’all be sure to hold the ones you love a little tighter and cherish the time you have together.”
Brantley, thank you for reminding us to do just that.
Brantley also wrote “One Hell Of An Amen” for two of his friends, Jon, who died fighting in combat, and Kory, who passed away from leukemia. “One Hell Of An Amen” appears on his 2014 “Just as I Am” album, while “We’re Gonna Ride Again” is featured on 2017’s “The Devil Don’t Sleep.”