For I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me,  but for all who have longed for his appearance.   2 Timothy 4:6-8

Casey passed into eternal life on June 3, 2021. She was surrounded by family, and two nurses were in the room. Because of the nurses, we know that the time of death was between 1:52 and 1:53 p.m.

Almost one year earlier, on June 15, 2020, Casey was in the operating room when, just before the surgery was to start, she went into cardiac arrest (i.e., her heart stopped). She was revived after a few frantic minutes for the doctors and nurses, and was perfectly herself afterwards. God is multi-dimensional, so He was doing many things in many people's lives through that event. However, it was very clear to me that God was letting Casey and me know that she was going to Him exactly when it was her time - not one moment before or after.

Earlier this year, Casey decided she wanted to be buried in her running shoes. 😀 This was so appropriate given her lifelong love of running and her great success in the sport. The socks she is wearing are also meaningful as they have two messages on them that she lived. The top of each sock says "LIVE WITH GRATITUDE" and the bottom of each sock says "CULTIVATE JOY."

We did not immediately note any significance to her date of death. But the next day Kevin pointed out to me that an iconic photo that both Casey and Kevin had printed, framed and displayed was taken on June 3, 2017. That was the day that the two of them ran the Dam to Dam half marathon and the photo is of the two of them after the race with their medals (see attached). It was a huge accomplishment for Casey, as not only was it her first half marathon, but also she had been sidelined on and off for years with injury.  When Kevin shared the date with me, I knew it was very significant. The reasons of significance are many and great, and I expect we will learn more in the years to come. A second photo of her after the race that day with her finisher's medal shows just how happy she was!

After Sean found out about the connection of the date of the race and the date of death, he looked up the race results online and found something very special: Casey's official time that day was 1 hour, 52 minutes and 14 seconds, 1:52:14.

I have no doubt that was her exact time of death, between 1:52 and 1:53 p.m. that the nurses noted, confirming what God had impressed on me nearly a year earlier: Casey was going to cross over at exactly her time. She indeed finished the race and this time, she received the crown of righteousness. And she is SO HAPPY!

Paul

p.s. I've also attached a photo of her just before she crossed the finish line in the Dam to Dam race.