Message about Al Cole (grandmastercole)

[andyjeffries]

I heard this on a mailing list and know that he was active here so I thought some who know him may be interested:


Hello Everyone,
For those that do not know - my husband, Al, has been diagnosed with Stage IV Kidney Cancer.
I began a journal for Al through CaringBridge so that family and friends can be updated on his health. If you have never used CaringBridge before, the site will require a log in id (your email address) and for you to create your own password. Whenever I add information to the journal, you will be noted by an email from CaringBridge. The site for Al is www.caringbridge.org/visit/alcole1
Below is additional information about CareBridge. Thank you all once again for all your thoughts and prayers.
Cindy


Dear Family and Friends,
A CaringBridge site was created for Al. We will use this site to share health news, and you can write messages of encouragement in return. Please visit often to keep updated and show your support.
Visit:
www.caringbridge.org/visit/alcole1
Visit on mobile:
Enter alcole1 on your CaringBridge app for iPhone or Android.
CaringBridge is a nonprofit offering trusted spaces where family and friends can connect and share during any type of health event




Read Al's CaringBridge journal entry www.caringbridge.org
Read the latest update and show your support. You can be part of Al's health journey by reading updates, viewing photos and leaving

 

[Gorilla]

Very sad!

I hope everyone will say a prayer!

 

[ETinCYQX]

Ah, ****.

Sorry to hear this. I hope he pulls through, he's a wealth of knowledge in Taekwondo and was always willing to share.

 

[Kong Soo Do]

Very sad!

I hope everyone will say a prayer!

Amen. Prayer sent for him and his family.

 

[ralphmcpherson]

Very sad to hear news like this. My prayers are with him and his family.

 

[arnisador]

Sorry to hear this.

 

[TaekwondoDad]

I was sorry to see the post and am praying for Master Cole. I have been blessed to have had the opportunity to meet him and his sons all too infrequently. He is a fervent advocate of taekwondo and a great friend to any who strive to learn more about it.

 

[andyjeffries]

By the way, in case people are thinking about donating through that site. A message from Cindy (Al's wife):

A few people have asked about making a charitable donation to our
family through the CaringBridge site. Donations made through this site
only go to the CaringBridge association. The intention of this
journal is to provide family and friends an update on Al. Your
thoughts, prayers and well wishes are all that we could ever ask for.


Thank you,


The Cole Family

 

[SahBumNimRush]

Has anyone heard anything further about Master Cole's condition? Sending thoughts and prayers to him and his family.. .

 

[andyjeffries]

Has anyone heard anything further about Master Cole's condition? Sending thoughts and prayers to him and his family.. .

Unfortunately yes, and it doesn't sound like good news.

Written Feb 3, 2013 4:33pm by Cindy Cole (Al's wife)


I wanted to share with you a beautiful conversation I had with Al.


Last week Al was fairly lucid and asked me if I knew when he was going
to die. This question made me uncomfortable and nervous. I wasn't
sure how to answer. I told him that no one knows when any of us are
going to die, only God knows and that I could die today or tomorrow.
I really did not want to have that discussion and I didn't want to
upset him and tell him that we don't think he had much time. Al has
been saying a few other things about dying such as how he can see his
body deteriorating and how thin he looks.


On Friday night Al asked me again if anyone had told me when he was
going to die or if anyone said how much time he had left. I told him
no, not really. I didn't want to push his question aside. I got the
nerve up to ask him some questions. I asked him if he was scared and
he said yes. But he also went on to say that he was ready to go. He
was tired of all the medicine, pain and suffering and wanted it to be
over. I was amazed at how calm he was when he spoke. Then he told me
he thought he had already died. He had said this weeks ago, but I
thought he was dreaming. He said it was when Fr. Tim was anointing
him. Al said that he went to heaven - a very bright, beautiful place
and was kneeling in front of Fr. Tim. He also said there were
beautiful books there ... maybe he was in a heavenly library??? I
asked him if he saw anyone else or spoke to anyone else and he said
no. I asked if it was a good feeling and he said yes, it was amazing
and very loving. I asked him what else happened and he said then
then he said he went to purgatory. I also asked what purgatory was
like and he indicated that it was here .. that he had come back into
the room.


Al said that he had to go through this pain - he kept saying it was
his turn. He also said that he sees people cheering him on saying he
did a great job and that now it's his time to leave earth. I asked
him if he recognized anyone and he said no, it was no one that he
knew.


I told Al that I didn't want him to go and how much I would miss my
best friend. I also told him that the boys, his mom and I would all
be sad but that we would be okay and that we have each other. He
asked if I wanted to come with him. I told him I didn't think it was
my time and that right now I'm not sick, but you never know. He told
me there was "human sickness" all around.


I have had the hardest time praying lately. Do I pray for a miracle,
do I pray for God to let Al stay with us longer or do I pray for his
peace. I think this conversation with Al answered that question.

 

[Carol]

Very brave lady. I wish all the best for him and his family

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[granfire]

Ah, now I am sitting her squalling.

I can understand the selfish reasons to hope for a longer time we have with a person.

But then again, there is a time when we have to put our selfish reasons behind and let go.

And by all means, I do not care for anymore funerals...there have been too many in my life since November.

many prayers to Al Cole and his family.

Many prayers to his friends as well.

Saying good-bye is never easy.

 

[Instructor]

I've prayed and will continue.

 

[StudentCarl]

I pray that his passing is as comfortable as possible, and that his family find solace and peace.

 

[Gorilla]

This is the most difficult thing to go through! I hope for the best for Master Cole and his family!

 

[SahBumNimRush]

Wow, I don't really know how to respond to that Andy; very sad news.. . Thank you for the update.

 

[Earl Weiss]

This discussion puts all the other discussions on this and other boards in perspective.

 

[Kong Soo Do]

This discussion puts all the other discussions on this and other boards in perspective.

Yes it does. Something for all of us to remember. Continued prayers for him and his family.

God bless.

 

[Brian King]

Prayers lifted.

 

[SahBumNimRush]

I just heard that Master Al Cole has passed away. Regardless of whether or not you agreed with his posts on this forum, he was an influential man who dedicated his life to Taekwondo. He will be missed by many. RIP Al Cole.