My Dearest Owen,
I know that this letter is far overdue. I don’t know how many times I have begun to write, but cannot muster the strength to do so. It has been just over six months since you went Home. That time has been full of overwhelming heartache, intense grief and moments of utter disbelief. In the same breath, we have experienced immense gratitude, abundant healing and inexplicable peace. As I look back on the preceding months, one of those emotions far outweighs any others, and that is gratitude.
We are so thankful for your life. Your life facilitated growth and understanding beyond measure. Not only in my life and your mother’s, but in our extended family, church family, friends and beyond. We are honored to have been chosen to be your parents and steward your life as well as we possibly could, while you were here on earth. The Lord chose us to be your parents. He entrusted us with your life while you were here and we are so grateful for you.
We are grateful to our friends and family who have surrounded us and loved us throughout this entire journey. The moment that we found out about your diagnoses, we picked up the phone, sent out one text and were swarmed with loved ones wanting to do everything in their power to help. This trend simply continued throughout your earthly life and beyond. Your mother, your brother and I were (and still are) overwhelmed with love and support from people who love us (and you) well.
We are grateful to be part of a church that surrounds its body, comes alongside us and fights with us, praying, petitioning, pleading and fasting for you.
Your memorial service was greatly attended. People, who again, love you and us so well, came in from all over the country. Our concern was that our church would not be able to host the amount of people that attended your memorial service. We did, however, make the necessary arrangements to accommodate the crowd. We wanted it to be a worship service, and IT WAS. Your mother and I viewed it as a platform to point our loved ones, who may not know our Lord, toward Christ. “So Will I” by Hillsong, “Though You Slay Me” by Shane and Shane, and Great Are You Lord, were a few of the songs played masterfully by our friend Daniel Crawford (who lost his son at 15 days to Trisomy 18). Raw and heartfelt worship, crying out to the Lord…that’s all we knew how to do.
The past few months have been difficult, my son. Losing you has been the hardest thing that we have ever encountered. Not a day goes by that we do not miss our Owen Gregory. We are, however, so grateful for you. We are truly honored to have been, and always will be, your parents.
Owen Gregory Cooper 