Remembering Meg
Is it really possible that I posted this FOUR YEARS AGO on this blog?
Megan Diane Cope died nine years ago today [now thirteen years]. Who — in our success-driven world — would want her genetic make-up? She was, after all, mentally retarded.
And yet . . . she changed our worlds. She was a quiet, loving witness to the gospel. She was an incarnation of God’s love. She received whatever gifts of service we offered to her without expecting more. She embodied the truth of 2 Corinthians 4:7: “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”
Her ten years here were too short. So today, again, we grieve her absence, and we look forward to seeing her again to thank her for helping to set our worlds right.
It took me about three years of reading your blog to consistently remember that Megan died on my first wedding anniversary. I vividly remember the day. Thank you for sharing Megan with those of us that never got to meet her.
Thank you for sharing with us your memory of Megan. I see the hope we have expressed in the reflections you offer about your daughter.
Rex
Ithaca Church of Christ
Ithaca, NY
I love your Diane and I can see in her eyes that so much of what I love about her has been shaped by Megan. I love that she isn’t so sillily optomistic and that she doesn’t paint God as Santa….she is down to earth and her picture of God has room for suffering and unanswered prayers and in the midst of that….joy.
Thank you for keeping her story alive. She has touched so many. She and I would have been friends.
My favorite time to think about Megan is when I go to sleep in her room on our visits to Abilene. Every single time I close her bedroom door, I think of her poking her head above the bottom half. I think of her sleeping in that room, or not sleeping.
My prayers are with you, Diane, and the family today.
Megan Diane Cope. I can see her in each one of you. She shaped not only family and friends and a church community — she shaped the world because she was truly an incarnation of God’s love. A living, breathing glimpse of Jesus. God bless on this special day.
We love you. – Kayci, Josh and Truitt
I loved Megan. We miss her and we miss you guys. We’re thinking of you today.
Love,
Brandon
My love to you, Mike and Diane-and to Matt and Jenna and Chris. And of course to your wonderful mom and dad and to all Megan’s family. You remain in my heart, as does sweet Megan.
Have you thought about writting a book about her and how she has play a role in your faith and outlook on life? Mike you are always in my prayers brother. God bless you during this time of year.
I was thinking of you and Megan this morning when I woke up. You all are in my prayers. I love you!
The memory of this date makes my heart ache and cry. One of my great regrets is that I didn’t have a chance to know Megan….well, in person at least. But yes, I do know her from the way you talk about her. My hugs and prayers for all the extended Cope family!
I remember reading this on your blog. I also remember this was right about the time that I visited Highland and decided church wasn’t all that bad if people who hurt a lot could preach there.
Hope you guys are doing well Mike… Peace and Blessings to you and the Cope Family.
I just took the whole chunk of cheese and left my teeth marks in it – in memorium. You know, it’s not a bad way to eat cheese.
When I think of Megan I always remember the energetic little girl who bounced around the pews after worship services at College Church. Our first child was born in Wilmington, NC on November 14, 1994 and she was being passed around at Pine Vally (probably by some of the same people who passed baby Megan around) for the first time when we learned that Megan had died. I took my precious newborn into Jimmy’s office and cradled her closely as I wept for you and Diana and Matt. She touched so many lives and I thank you for continuing to share her with us.
Mike,
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family this Holiday season.
Love you brother.
I don’t think I will ever forget that day. The date on the calendar is foggy at times, but I remember clearly details of that day… It still doesn’t seem real! I had never before or since experienced such shock and immense grief at something I thought I knew was coming. I guess my head knew but heart didn’t.
Your little girl was amazing in so “not of this world” kind of ways. Knowing her, and you all as you lived with her, blessed me. Thank you for sharing her then and now.
Hope you guys have a blessed Thanksgiving!
I can remember glimpses of Megan at the College church whenever we’d come to hear your wonderful lessons. I wish I had known her.
And every year at this time, I hear Megan’s voice, very loudly, singing “I may nevah . . . . .”
Mike: God bless you!
Mike, though all the time has passed, and the tears have long dried, sure there’s a gap that remains, deep down, until that Day. Grieving with you, brother, and looking ahead with you for that soon Day. Like Dennis Kinlaw has been known to say, “We are in God’s hands. And they’re good hands! God bless you, brother!
in Jesus,
Robert