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Cooper Joshua Eason
Cooper has touched many people throughout his life and is continuing to do so in death. We've had a huge outpouring of love and support from people all over the world. We value and appreciate every candle that is lit, every tribute that is made and every e-mail we receive.
Our special little man was loved by everyone. He in every sense of the word was a perfect son. Our love for him will be forever and we will cherish our short time with him. If Cooper came to earth to teach us one thing, it was how to love. His ability to love was phenomenal. He was a gentle giant and had such a sweet and loving nature. His soul penetrated into people's minds and hearts. Below are some of the beautiful poems / stories some of our family and friends read at Cooper's Funeral.
A poem written by Cooper's 15 year old cousin, Ashleigh Bedford
You were an angel, sent down by God.
On a wondrous journey, that we have not trod.
Running down our hallway, you will ever remain.
Footprints set in our hearts, now broken terrain.
You sent us a rainbow, from up above
A sign to show us, your eternal love.
You touched us so much, when you were here,
So forgive us please Cooper, when we shed a few tears.
An angel came down, to guide you away.
We know you are happy, but we wish you could stay.
We love you so much, even though you are gone.
For up into Heaven, you've now been reborn.
I send you dear Cooper, one last precious kiss.
Take comfort in that you'll always be missed.
Over the rainbow, beyond the sky.
We'll love you forever, our great little guy
This is a copy of the eulogy Aunty Kerrie gave for Cooper at his funeral on the 10th August 2006.
On the 3rd August 2006, a light went out in our lives.
But oh what a light he was. The most beautiful, happiest and serene child that I have ever known. To look into his eyes was to see such purity, yet clarity.
I had the pleasure of caring for Cooper most Tuesdays and lots of other times and I thank you Mel and Josh for sharing him with me as you still share Olivia with me.
Cooper Tuesdays would usually start with waking up my kids and they would never grumble at him.
He would just cruise around, play with dog, he loved Monte and would spend ages just sitting with him, lying on his bed with him and drinking out of his water bowl.
He would play with his cars, watch his beloved Dorothy I don’t know how many times and of course play hide and seek with aunty Kerrie’s keys. Or I would hear him in Nick’s room, gently strumming his guitar.
He would come everywhere with me whether something on at the kid’s school, long days at sport knockouts, stinking hot Saturday morning softball matches and of course the soccer. He just drank it all in and always with his special smile.
People would stop me in the street and comment “what a beautiful child – is he your first grandchild” And in many ways that is how close our bond was.
We are so lucky to part of a large, noisy, yet loving and extremely close knit family. We all live close by and have shared our children since birth. Our kids are just not cousins but best friends and their love for each other was never more obvious than around Cooper, a special baby boy, born after so many girls.
A special memory for us was a family holiday taken in April 06 at Noosa. We were all there, watching all the kids and Cooper making sandcastles at the beach, at the zoo and just simply enjoying what life was offering to him. Loving it.
My last memory of Cooper was the last Tuesday before his death, when he ran to the door when the bell rang. He saw his Mum and and his face lit up with the biggest smile and he threw himself into her arms. His love was so pure.
Cooper, you were and always will be part of the fabric that makes up our lives. You are part of my heart and soul and I will love you forever, my super dooper cooper, my bruce almighty, my boy.
Watch over us, until we meet again.
Love you
Aunty Kerrie xxx
Cooper - A tribute from Aunty Shan read at the celebration of Cooper’s life on the 10 August 2006.
From his little friends and their mums and dads.
We wanted to share today some of our precious times with Cooper, mainly on behalf of all our kids to whom he was a beautiful friend and playmate.
Cooper was Coopy or Coops to most of us - Olivia’s baby brother, a mini Josh and Mel’s perfect little man.
He was also the most happy, adorable child you could meet.
Our families do so much together – the kids are always busy and always having a great time. Cooper was very much a part of that.
Playgroup on a Thursday was a highlight.
A slow starter, Cooper spent much of his early days at Playgroup in his pram – just happy to sit and watch.
As he grew he became a playmate for all the kids, loving the bikes and climbing gym.
He also loved the morning tea’s and the visits to the park afterwards.
We can picture his face now – on that swing or coming down that slippery slide – pure delight and so proud of his achievement.
Friday mornings was shopping with mum while the girls went dancing. Coopy was usually very obliging - sleeping in his pram while Mel had coffee with friends.
More recently, on Wednesday’s, while the bigger kids did a sport class, Coopy had a wow of a time at the play centre – in the balls, riding cars and on the jumping castle.
We also treasure deeply the wonderful holiday several of our families had to Fiji last year – remembering Coopy in the pool, on the beach, in the restaurants, on the train trip and just cruising around on the lawn.
There are so many more times to remember joyful parties, dancing at concerts like the Wiggles, Hi-5 and Play School, fun-filled visits to the park and beautiful days at the beach.
You Cooper will be so very missed from all of this.
We thank you for all the wonderful times and for making us realise life is simple and here to enjoy.
It has been said a lot in the past week that Cooper was an angel sent from heaven.
With all our heart and soul, we do believe this.
Such a gorgeous child to look at, Cooper was always so content and happy…………right from the moment he was born.
While all our kids might show a slightly naughty side from time to time – never Cooper.
He was just happy. Always happy.
Innocently and delightfully enjoying everything he did.
We all love you Cooper. We miss you so much.
You will be with us forever. We will always cherish you.
My Memories of Cooper / Suzy Davis
When I think about Cooper I see his beautiful smile and sparkly eyes. It didn't matter how long it had been since the last time I saw him I would always get a smile and of course a cuddle.
As a baby I always thought of him as "Cooper Koala". He would always love to be cuddled and would cling onto me when I held him.
As he grew into a beautiful boy, to me he became "Cruisey Coops".
At Jackson's first birthday, surrounded by lots of other children I remember Cooper sitting on the floor in the middle of the room, just playing 'happy and content'. Another child would pick up the toy he was playing with and take it away from him, but "Cruisey Coops" would just smile and pick up something else to play with.
I will cherish the memory of the first time he said my name. I was helping Livvy get dressed after Livvy & Cooper had a bath. Cooper stood in the doorway of Livvy's bedroom, gave me one of those big smiles, pointed his finger at me and said "Sushi".
Not long ago at our house Cooper was happily playing with his cars and our dog Jess, before he decided to get comfortable and lie on her bed. We have recently put a child proof gate in our lounge room to stop our dog from sleeping on the lounge. It did not take Cooper long to work out how to open it. He thought he was so clever, as he repeatedly opened and closed the gate laughing and smiling the whole time.
My last memory of Cooper was on the 30th July. Mel, Josh, Olivia, Cooper, Nicole, Jackson, Troy and I met at Cronulla for breakfast for my Birthday. Troy and I were sitting at the table when The Eason's arrived. I can clearly remember Cooper's smile as he came towards us and of course I got a cuddle. The entire time we were there "Cruisey Coops" was having so much fun riding his pink bike and letting Jackson have a turn. I helped him climb up the ladder and I caught him as he came down the slide. The most beautiful memory I can recall was of Olivia and Cooper standing at the front of the play equipment, a big boat, looking through and turning the big wheel. "Cruisey Coops" was so happy and content as usual. At a closer look as Mel pointed out to me, I could see they had their arms wrapped around each other.
Suzy Davis "Sushi"
Love you forever / Jess Murphy (Cousin)
The 3rd of August was the worst and most saddest day of my life. Our special little man Cooper had passed away. And i say to my self "why". He was soo special and i miss him soooo MUCH. I miss the way he said "Dess" and "I oo too" and " one more" and his little impersonations of things like "muscles" were he would show us his muscles and "homeboy" but the thing i miss most is his smile and love. He touched my Heart and I cant believe he is gone but he will watch over us now and we have to be strong. He was soo special, and still is.
Dear Cooper
I will always love you for you are a beautiful soul. You are finally over the rainbow. I adored you with all my heart as if you were my own little brother. Thank you for giving me soooooo many special memories. You were an angel who touched everyones soul. I will always Cherish you my baby boy. I remember the time you hid mums car keys in the Video player. Then found out that the spare keys were in there that were missing 5 months ago.
Pushka (my cat) will be wondering wheres that kid who kicks me, and monte (my dog) will be wondering wheres that beautiful little boy that cuddled me and drank my water from my bowl. We all miss you and wish you could have stayed longer. I just wanted to say
I love you
Cant wait to see you in Heaven
Love Jess Your cousin xoxoxox
My Beautiful Baby Cousin from Tayla Bedford
Cooper i will never forget you and your beautiful smile
i miss the way you used to call me Tay and i will always remember the day when i taught you how to say "achoo, i bless you"
I will cherish all of the moments i spent with you Cooper
i just wish we could have spent more time with you
love you forever you will always be in my heart
Love Tay. xoxoxo
My Best Mate Cooper - I miss you from Luke Hewitt (Best Friend )
Cooper you are my best friend.
Every night before I go to bed I kiss your photo and tell you I wuv you and miss you.
Mummy tells me about our amazing times together. How we use to play together at playgroup, how I use to fight with you over toys and your funky toy pram and you would always end up sharing but I could never get your special Cooper Car from you - I know that was your favourite.
Remember when we use to watch our dads play soccer and our mums would always buy us lollies from the canteen, that was great.
I went to a party on the weekend and it wasnt the same without you. We would always sit together and stuff our faces with whatever we could get our hands on. This time I had to sit next to girls!!!
Im so glad that mummy likes taking lots of photos because I have so many of us together to remember all the good times. Especially the ones on the beach at Noosa - we had such fun didn't we, I miss it so much.
I wish we could wrestle on the floor and still be stealing each others toys and dancing to Bear in the Big Blue House like we use to.
But I know I will see you again one day in Heaven. And when that day comes save a seat next to you for me.
Wuv you mate, my bestest friend ever.
You buddy
Lukey
My boy, my Cooper. I will never be the same person again. I will never be the ‘normal’ happy person I once was. I will carry this around until the day I die and nothing will ever make it “OK”. Cooper is etched into my heart, into my soul, into my body and mind forever. I live for my husband Josh and my beautiful daughter Olivia. I do not fear death. When it is my time to go I look forward to spending eternity with my beautiful boy Cooper. I love you Cooper. x x Mummy
God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
the courage to change the things I can;
and the wisdom to know the difference.
Author: Unknown
SIGNS FROM OUR BOY
 The day after Cooper died there was a huge thunder storm. The rain was torrential and it thundered for 5 hours! It certainly matched our mood.
We saw 5 rainbows in the 2 weeks after Cooper's death
Mummy's special rainbow. When I needed it most, when I was really down he sent me the most amazing rainbow which ended right in front of our eyes into the river. The next day he sent me 2 more which ended in nearly the exact same spot. It was truly amazing.
Daddy's Eagle. Josh (my husband, Cooper's dad) has loved Eagles since he was a little boy. After Cooper died we were living at my brothers house. For 5 days an eagle came down the river to where we were staying. Josh then paddled up the river and found where the eagle lives. The eagle stopped visiting, knowing that Josh could come and find it whenever he needed to.
Fathers Day 4 weeks after Cooper died. My husband was sitting on the back verandah reading a Christian book on life and death. "Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh" - he heard the eagle before he saw it. It came soaring over the house and circled, did it 2 more times and soared up the river. We later found out that in the Bible the eagle is a sign of the 'holy spirit'.
Aunty Kathy's Flower. Kathy had asked her Mum (who is in Heaven) for a sign from her to let her know that she has Cooper and that he is OK. The next day in the middle of the river was a pink flower. Kathy watched this for a while and realised it was attached to the river bed as it did not float away with the tide. The next day the flower was gone.
I asked Cooper for another Rainbow, a sign from him to let me know that he hears me and knows how much I love and miss him. That night I came home from work to discover this year's New Years Eve celebrations in Sydney are going to be based around Cooper's all time favourite movie THE WIZARD OF OZ. He did more than a Rainbow for me.
THINGS COOPER LOVED
The Wizard of Oz
Dorothy
Dora The Explorer
Bob The Builder
Cars
Trucks
Thomas The Tank Engine Train Set
Tomato sauce sandwiches
Wrestling with Daddy
Cuddling with Mummy on the lounge
Wizard of Oz
Playing hide and seek
Being tickled
Singing ABC
Singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Playing with his cousins and friends
Playing with Monte the dog (cuddling him and drinking out of his water bowl)
Pulling his sisters hair
  
A LETTER FROM HEAVEN
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say.
But first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; Here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I am with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through.
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."
"It's good to have you back again, you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, They'll be here later on.
I need you here so badly, you are part of my plan.
There is so much that we can do, to help our mortal man."
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you.... in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years.
Because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no rainbows, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
If I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is over.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
But together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too;
That as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who is in sorrow and pain;
Then you can say to God at night...."My day was not in vain.
And now I am contented... that my life was worthwhile.
Knowing as I passed along the way I made somebody smile."
So if you meet somebody who is sad and low;
Just lend a hand to pick them up, as on your way you go .
When you're walking down the street and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free.
Remember you're not going.... you're coming here with me.
Author Unknown
Thoughts from Mummy
Life bubbles along. You have the common daily stresses of juggling work, children, housework, finances and friends. Co-ordinating life is hard work. As much as you love your kids they still ‘stress you out’ and push you to your limits. You take each day for granted, unaware of the tragedy and stress that is about to engulf you.
How I long for that kind of stress again.
What I face now is inconceivable. The hurt, the anguish, the sorrow, the regret and the ache is torture. Every day is like a nightmare. Every night the nightmares return.
For those of you who take your ‘normal lives’ for granted; stop, be grateful and enjoy. Cherish each and every second that you have with your children and family because when it is gone you wish you could turn back the clock.
A light went out in my life when my son Cooper died. That brightness will never again return. He was radiance so full of pure joy, love and laughter. My light and happiness has been extinguished. My son. My daylight. My delight. My pride. Emptiness overwhelms me. Happiness evades me. My laughter is an impostor, a clever disguise of my true feelings. Life drags me along kicking and screaming.
I can’t explain the depth of my emotions because there are no words to describe it. Words can not possibly capture my grief.
This is my story. This is my pain. This is my life.
COOPER - 
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His legacy
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