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I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
— 2 Timothy 4:7-8
Ushered into Eternity by Love
written by Everett Co
Yesterday was a day filled with love and sadness. My beloved bride of 17 years went home to be with our Heavenly Father as I held her in my arms at 3:15pm.
I met with Dr. Smith, who has been with us on this journey from the very beginning, and the chief pulmonologist yesterday morning to confirm Sheri’s desire to be taken off the respirator and the process of how it would happen. While the hospital staff began making the necessary preparations, our families, close friends and our Pastor, Dr. Tan, took turns saying their last goodbyes. Throughout the morning until 2:05pm, I spent many quiet moments with her. It was very hard to let go and accept that “till death do us part” was before my eyes, but I also knew Sheri completed her race here on earth, and it was time for her to leave this suffering and enter into eternal glory. At 2:05pm, the doctor removed the respirator. As I held Sheri in my arms for the last time, I sang a few of our favorite hymns and reminisced about our life together; how we met and dated, our wedding, the births of our three children and the memories we made together as a family. We lingered in that special time together for 70 minutes before Sheri peacefully passed into eternity in my arms.
Though Sheri’s passing was extremely difficult and painful for me and the kids, we also are thankful that she does not have to suffer anymore. We take comfort in the truth that she is now safe in our Heavenly Father’s arms, completely healed and restored, living in perfect joy and peace, and has received her crown of righteousness and reward for the race she’s run.
The loss is great. The pain is deep. The grieving process will be long. But we know our God’s name is Love and Faithful. His love will heal and carry us. His faithfulness will be the anchor that keeps us up and gives us new hope each day to keep running our own races here on earth until we are reunited with Sheri in heaven. God has been good to us and we know He will continue to be good to our family.
I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your prayers, care, encouragement, practical help, and support. In the last 18 months, we’ve experienced the love and presence of God through all of you. Your prayers have been an encouragement and gave us strength when we felt weak. We feel so blessed to have such great communities around us. May the Lord bless you for the way you have showered love on our family. We are deeply grateful for every one of you. Thank you so much!
I want to close with this promise of God,
— Revelation 21:3-5aNow the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
He who was seated on the throne said, I am making everything new!
With eternal hope in Christ Jesus,
Everett
All of us at AADP are saddened by the news of Sheri’s passing. Our thoughts, strength, and prayers go to the Co Family during this difficult time.
