Cooper Knight Charlton
Honoring Cooper's Legacy
Hi all -- checking in to share the recording of Cooper's Celebration of Life in Cleveland as some have asked for it <3.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to all who attended and / or sent their well wishes!
XOXO
(Unfortunately We Remember doesn't support "live" links so you'll need to copy the text below & paste into your browser to view the video)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UN5yZW0kJnlR2HBwvWElCZCo9wIkN7K1/view?usp=sharing
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Update as of 07/15/2022 - Reminder of US Celebration of Life details
Cooper’s US Celebration of Life: Sunday, July 31 from 1-3pm, Windows on the River, Bridge View Room (3rd Floor), 2000 Sycamore St, Cleveland, OH
All who knew him are welcome to attend! Come as you are...and express yourself in color. <3
Update as of 06/13/22 ---------
[originally posted on Instagram] https://www.instagram.com/p/Cew3nr2s4FP/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
My love ❤️🥺
Cooper Knight Charlton
Feb 12 1993 - May 7 2022
I’ve paused to write this a few times and each time, my thumbs freeze up and all words escape me. What do I write in a post like this.
This time, as I lay here hoping I’ll find my words yet again, I see it: a bald eagle soaring high high high in the sky. That was our thing, spotting them. Anyway, I think he’s been sending me eagles over the last few weeks. Sometimes just one, sometimes two circling together. I saw them almost every day in the week after he died. It was actually starting to feel like it had been a while since I’d seen one. But, woosh. There we go. In he swoops. Hi Coop. 👼🏼🪶 A breath of strength fills me.
This is unfathomable. Heartbreaking. More pain than I ever knew a body could hold. I know I don’t have to say that though, as so many of you are feeling it too. Ohhhhh Cooper. “You’ll be missed” doesn’t even scratch the surface.
In the Cooper way though, I can feel him beaming with energy and brightness as he introduces us to the Cooper soul that lives way beyond his body. Eagles, for me. And so many of you have shared other signs too! It will never feel like an even trade, but everything within me knows it’s him keeping his essence alive for us here on earth.
I could write a whole series of posts honoring Cooper’s spirit and zest for life, and maybe that’ll come. For now, two important details:
Cooper’s US Celebration of Life
Sunday, July 31 from 1-3pm
Windows on the River, BridgeView Room (3rd Floor)
2000 Sycamore St, Cleveland, OH
Everyone who knew him is invited. Come as you are and… express yourself in color!
Also, if you need a jolt of Cooper energy, his We Remember page is flooded with hundreds of memories (happy, funny, smiling, positive). Peruse and contribute if you like. He would tease me for saying this but I will: link in bio 😅
I imagine love and prayers bouncing around in all directions as we walk this road together. Back and forth and back and forth. Love and Prayers. I send them and I feel them. Thank you all.
And to you Cooper…
Fly high my love
To the moon
I love you I love you I love you ❤️
Update as of 05/22/22 ----------------------
We honored Cooper with a Celebration of Life in Vancouver yesterday -- it was a beautifully sunny day, the ceremony was full of his spirit, and the community who attended are committed to carrying on his legacy. <3
We also added an option to make a donation in Cooper's honor for a memorial bench in one of Cooper's favorite places in Vancouver, Jericho Beach. If you're interested in donating, please visit the page here: https://gofund.me/32a5ceb8.
US Ceremony details coming soon.
Sending love to all. XOXO
Update as of 05/19/22 ----------------------
Showing up and sharing this way is something I’m not naturally comfortable with — but it’s something Cooper always encouraged me to do. Here I am trying for you, Coop. <3
As many of you can imagine, the last 10+ days have been excruciatingly painful. I am just now starting to find my words and to confront the new reality in front of me. Many of you have reached out with support, prayers, and so, so, so much love. I can’t thank you enough. Without the support of Cooper’s and my community, both in Vancouver and in the US, I really don’t know how I’d carry on.
I appreciate so many of you respecting me and the unthinkable heartbreak of this situation by not asking too many questions. That said, if you’re like me, you probably have lots of them. And sheesh, I wish I had answers to give you.
Cooper and I were at a three-day meditation retreat last weekend (something he’s participated in many times before) and on Saturday eve he hopped in the car for a drive. I think about 45 mins passed, and next thing I knew, I was faced with news I never thought I’d have to bear. I hope one day I’ll be able to relieve myself of the harrowing image of the policewoman’s face that’s engrained in my mind when they showed up and asked for me (they’d found my wallet & the address in the car with him). “There’s been an accident,” she said, “Cooper Charlton passed away.”
The days since May 07 have included a range of emotions for me that I would never wish upon anyone. The depth and scale of the ache that fills my heart is something I didn’t know human emotions were even capable of. To those who’ve waded through these waters before me: I see you.
In our own search for healing, Cooper’s family and I have been looking for answers too and at the same, have been coached by therapists and authorities that there are pieces of this we’ll never actually get answers for.
What we know: He collided with another vehicle, no one else was hurt, and it’s likely he did not suffer. The police are doing their jobs and investigating the scene but it will take months before we learn anything. And even then, we may never learn what caused the loss of control of the vehicle. While everything about this is incredibly hard for me to grasp, accepting that I may never “know” may be one of the toughest pieces for me.
I feel compelled to share this update with this loving community so that we can all stand united and together in the collective ache and heartbreak of the reality of this situation.
Cooper’s parents and I are hosting a Celebration of Life for Cooper this weekend in Vancouver, and are planning one in the States this summer. We'll of course give you the US event details as soon as we have them. To be totally transparent, the last week has been consumed by phone calls and visits with the coroner, victim services, the police, and the crematory. If anyone out there has the knowledge or resources to make the process of death easier or more seamless for the family…I can assure you, there’s definitely a market need there.
To end on a high note, I want to re-emphasize the amount of support and love I’ve felt from across the continent throughout this process. I truly cannot express how much it means to me to know each of you are there and tirelessly texting me (double and triple texting, in some instances) to let me know you aren’t going anywhere. <3 Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Will share more updates here re: Celebration of Life as I know them.
Sending so much love to you all,
Mackenzie
Update as of 05/17/22 ----------------------
Cooper's Vancouver Celebration of Life: Saturday, May 21 from 1pm - 3pm, Celebration Hall and Courtyard, 5445 Fraser St, Vancouver, BC. Please come as you are…and we encourage you to express yourself in colour!
Cooper's USA Celebration of Life: Date TBD, Location TBD
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Our cherished fiancé, son, brother, and friend Cooper Knight Charlton passed away in a car accident on the evening of Saturday, May 7. No words can express our collective shock and grief.
This page is an opportunity for all of us to reflect and share how Cooper impacted us. We encourage you to share memories or special moments below if you feel called. The stories of smiles and laughter bring the family glimpses of peace during this difficult time.
We plan to celebrate Cooper's life with his Vancouver community (as he's lived in Vancouver for 5+ years) as well as his US community.
Cooper's Vancouver Celebration of Life: Saturday, May 21 from 1pm - 3pm, Celebration Hall and Courtyard, 5445 Fraser St, Vancouver, BC V5W 2Z3
Cooper's USA Celebration of Life: Date TBD, Location TBD
Also: So many loved ones have reached out to ask what they can do to support during this time --
One organization Cooper was extremely passionate about was The Support Network, a continuation of the Wolverine Support Network he founded while at the University of Michigan. If you would like to contribute, please follow this link: https://www.thesupportnetwork.org/donate
Finally, we encourage you to seek whatever support you need in these difficult times, as the situation is extremely hard to process and reconcile. Support, comfort and care is what Cooper would want for all of us. Know that it’s also okay to laugh, cry and smile as you reflect on your memories of Cooper.
We sincerely appreciate all of your support and prayers.
With love and gratitude,
Mackenzie, Susan, David, Michael, and Maxwell