It has to happen one day. Maybe it’s today. Maybe it will be a long time from now. Whenever it is, it will happen.

That’s okay. I’ve lived a blessed life. I didn’t live everyday as if it was my last, but I’ve surely lived with my last day in mind.

While I can’t pretend to let you know exactly what I might think in my final moments, I can share some things that are in my heart before I go.

First, when I’m gone, I want you to know…

While this might be difficult for those who love me, I can assure you that I’m perfectly at peace whenever this happens—resting in Peace, in fact.

Please take comfort in the fact that, as you eventually read these very words, I, Jonathan David Cottrell, now stand (or will eventually stand) in the eternal Presence of my glorious King, merciful Savior, nearest Brother, and everlasting Friend, the incomparable Christ. I’ve been called home. I don’t know what that will feel like, necessarily, but I know it will obliterate any expectation I have. I’m in awe just thinking about it.

Even though tears may accompany this time for some, know that I have prayed in advance for it to be a period of great comfort and even rejoicing, too. God is faithful. Trust Him.

What I’ve learned along the way

I’ve learned a ton throughout my life. Learning has been a fundamental value that I’ve carried throughout most of my days. What am I learning? How am I growing? These are questions that have been regularly on my mind. That’s one of the reasons retrospectives have been one of my recommended life hacks.

To distill all I’ve learned in this goodbye letter is impossible, of course. But I will do my best to summarize some of my learnings or point to the other places that do. I have learned…

• My life has never been about me

• Of all my beliefs, the paramount tenet of my faith and what I believe to be the greatest truth in the entire universe is summed up in one Person and three words: Christ is All

• My family has been remarkable, and the fact that I’ve had the fortune of being parented by Dave and Kathy, married to Nicole, and father to Riley, Tolan, and Beckett are the greatest honors of my years on earth

• The romance and marriage I’ve experienced with Nicole has been too amazing for words to describe; thank you, my love

• My friendships have been incredible, and I am richer for them—thank you, all, dear friends

• Life comes in seasons, and mine have been amazing—some up, some down, but all a gift of grace

• Work is a joy and I’ve quite enjoyed every project I’ve had the privilege to participate in

• Finding a way to improve and simplify my daily life has been well worth the effort and iteration; I hope my recommendations and (still in-development) how-tos have helped others in that same process, but even if not, I encourage others to refine what works for them

• I wish I wrote more, but even though I haven’t gotten around to all of the books I’ve planned on writing (at least at the time of this latest update), I know that my life is the most important reading I’m leaving behind

• While I haven’t crossed off everything on my bucket list (yet), I’m quite satisfied with and grateful for the life I’ve been given; conscious gratitude is an essential part of enjoying life

• There are so many people to thank for the life I’ve lived, and though I wish I could thank them all as effusively as I have in my heart or with my words in the past, at this point, I’ll simply have to let the credits roll

Most of all…

As I depart this earth, I sincerely hope you are most assured of this: You are loved. I have loved you, and even more so, Jesus loves you. If you ever felt loved by me, know that it has not been my love which you have experienced, but God’s. His love is indescribable and unfathomable, and He is the very Source of all Love in the universe. I invite you to open your heart to Him, because He desires nothing more than for you to experience union with Him. My life has been turned upside down and inside out by that union, and I hope and pray that everyone I know experiences the same.

What Love. What Grace. What Life.

Finally, as much as I understand you may experience some sadness when I’m gone, please know that this isn’t a real goodbye. It’s just a “See you later.” I’m going home, and I’ll be eager to greet you when you get there. Until that great and glorious day…

In Love,
Jonathan

This page was last updated by me, Jonathan, in December 2022. When I pass away, I hope somebody I love will update this page with any final details and share it with others—at the very least, the date I died should be updated at the top of this page. Maybe there are other details about my memorial service or even an introduction that should be added, too. For the record, I really do hope bagpipes make it to my funeral somehow, and my favorite hymn, Be Thou My Vision, would be nice, too. Most of all, I hope my funeral’s a real party, because for me, it’s a homecoming, not a bon voyage.

Whatever my loved ones decide on all of this, though, I’m not concerned. I know they’ll do well. I love you all. ❤️