JEGGAN O. COLE: July 3, 1987 – May 19, 2014
FOURTH ANNIVERSARY (May 19) – TRIBUTE
It is here again! It sneaked up on me: May 19, 2018, four years to the day. What an incredible journey and what a life!
At this time of the year, I find myself penning down my thoughts and feelings of another anniversary which has become quite therapeutic. As I wonder how four years have come and gone by so quickly and to have survived every day and moment of it, only God could have done it and He has been there during the highs and lows. A closer walk with God through the years has provided me with a greater sense of purpose, joy and hope. I am grateful for my journey and counting it all joy. May 19 never goes away; it was the day God called Jeggan home to glory!
Nothing comes closer to the truth than to live a life with a greater sense of purpose especially following such a tragic loss. Increasingly, as the years roll by, I find myself living more purposefully – finding meaning, joy and peace in the simple things of life. Many lessons have been learnt during the period and the experience has been rich. Cardinal among the lessons is that life is short and each day is a gift; tomorrow is promised to no one so I am learning daily to love deeply, forgive more and be compassionate. At the same time, I am reminded each day of His generous and unchanging love for me, His mercy and compassion. More importantly, I am grateful for my special journey and hopeful that my home will be with Him one day.
Living purposefully is a new path I have deliberately carved out as l learn to live out the remaining years of my life without my son; to live in the present and with the assurance that tomorrow is in God’s hands; Jeremiah 29:11. Candidly, though my special journey has been sometimes thwarted with setbacks, there have also been tremendous blessings along the way! I have experienced God’s hands at work even in the midst of the storm saying “My dear child, trust me, I am in control and lean not on your own understanding.” I hear Him say to me all the time, “Kehinde, do you love me more than these?” And my response like Simon Peter has always been, “Yes my Lord.” John 21:15
In the spirit of finding meaning and making sense of what seemed senseless at the time, the Jeggan Cole Memorial Foundation (JCMF) was founded. JCMF was born out of brokenness, and a need. Giving back to needy students and struggling families in communities while living out Jeggan’s memory and legacy also carved out a path to purpose and hope. Jeggan was God-fearing, kind hearted and compassionate, he had a passion for education and loved helping others which the Foundation naturally embodies.
Over the course of four years, the Foundation has awarded full and ongoing scholarships to more than 30 high school students, mentoring many more and encouraging students to participate in volunteer programs. JCMF also makes donations periodically to marginalized and struggling families and groups in the communities. Currently, JCMF has set its sight on establishing a community resource centre in the rural areas comprising of a library and computer lab and a meeting room which will directly benefit the community in Mansajang, Basse. First a borehole is about to be drilled that will provide safe drinking water to the community. For all of this, I give God the glory.
While the grief process has been undeniably slow and sometimes painful, I am indeed grateful. Above all, my unshakeable faith in the God I serve has been a source of great strength and hope for me in my journey. In the loneliest of moments, overwhelmed with tremendous sadness, God reminds me of His love and His promises to never leave or forsake me; He swaddles me with cloths of love and gently whispers in my ears “My dear daughter, be still and know that I am God. I know your name, for my strength is made perfect in your weakness. Jeggan is resting in my everlasting arms, therefore count it all joy.”
Finally, to my angel in heaven, Jeggan, I thank God for the twenty-six precious years of life you lived on this earth. He lent you to me and took you home at the appointed time, four long years ago. I don’t know what lies ahead for me but one thing is certain, that God is already there. He is God and He is sovereign and will do what is in accordance of His will for my life. Every day I miss you and the loneliness can be intense, but I am confident that God never left. Nonetheless as a Christian, I believe in our great hope that one day we will unite again in glory. Until we meet again my dear Jeggan, I pray that I remain faithful to the end and continue to walk in God’s will.
Rest easy in God’s arms, Jeggan
Love you always
Mum
To mentor and help educate the less fortunate of our society, is the purpose of our journey. – Maria koszler
With God, you are stronger than your struggles and more fierce than your fears. God provides comfort and strength to those who trust in Him. Be encouraged, keep standing, and know that everything’s going to be alright. – Germany Kent
There is sacredness in tears. They are not mark of weak ess, but of power.
Grief never ends but it changes. It is not a place to stay.
Grief is not a lack of faith , it is the price of love.
Sleep on Jeggan and take your rest. We love you but God loves you best.