Letters To Shawn From His Family

Words Shawn's family wrote to him which were read at his funeral.

This is from one of Shawn's older brothers who was 16 at the time.

Thank you all for coming. I know that Shawn really appreciates it, wherever he may be. I know that people here care about each other and that's great.

Shawn's death really shocked me. I went to school and he seemed sick, but nothing serious. When I learned that he was dead, it came as such a suprise I didn't know what to think. When I wrote this speech, I felt kind of numb - cold and empty inside. I don't want to focus on his death, but rather on his life but, it makes it harder as he was one of my little brothers and he looked up to Eric and I for an example. He always wanted to hang around us, and sometimes I found it annoying because he was a year-and-a-half younger than I am, but I am so glad I let him do stuff with me. I think it meant a lot to him. I recall a particular instance where Eric, Shawn and I went to Okpik, a Boy Scout High Adventures Base, and we learned many techniques for winter camping. Shawn and his friend Jon were going to sleep in their snow-shelter together and I was going to sleep in another. The one I that I was going to sleep in caved in and Shawn and Jon were scared because the ice was shifting adn they thought that they were going to fall in. Dad made me sleep in their shelter and at the time I thought that he was being a real jerk making me sleep with those two. I talked with him and Jon and then we went to sleep (they felt better when I told them that the ice did the same thing last year when I went). When we woke up one of them didn't listen adn one of them ate their granola bar as a snack. When we received our food rations they told us that we should eat our granola bars after we woke up to stimulate our metabolism and keep us warm. I took the remaining bar they had and mine and gave us all two-thirds of a bar each. That night didn't mean a lot to me at the time but now I remember it so well and it means a lot. There are so many happy things, watching movies, having an occasional pick-on-Shawn day (in fun), going rock-climbing, and he was the main person I played Magic Cards with. On the other hand, there are so many things I wanted to do with him: take him places when I got my license, help him with high school homework next year, and let him buy Eric and I for "Senior Slave Day" at the high school.

Shawn may have died without saying good-bye, but he wasn't in pain for a very long time. Our cousin Doug died in December but maybe God needed another pair of Angels. If that is the case, then I could think of a few people with better qualifications. Both of them may or may not have excelled at many things but they both ruled at being nice and making people feel good. In our society everyone thinks that being strong or smart is important, but I guess being a good person is even more important. At least Doug will have company and Shawn will have someone to make sure he doesn't get into too much trouble. Shawn was always special and I wish I could turn all the sympathy, flowers, and insurance money into a magic wand to make him come back, but he's really not dead. He will always be alive in the hearts of the people who knew him.

Are there Granny Smith apples in heaven? And can you eat as many as you like without getting a stomach ache?

And how about candy bars and pop? As much as you like with no one telling you how bad they are for you?

Is there a big screen TV so that you can watch all your sports games? Now you and your cousin, Doug, can talk all about sports as much as you want to.

Do you have new clothes to wear every day - all the latest styles and name brands? And the t-shirts must have necks that never stretch out no matter how hard you pull on them. And caps - in every color with every sports team that has ever played. Fitted caps, starter jackets and fancy tennis shoes.

Do you style your hair differently each day and can you grow it any way you like without someone telling you it is too long and to go comb it?

Have you found a new cat to curl up with at night when you sleep? One to devil and tease and then hug and pet? I know PeeWee missed you already here.

Do you have a new bike that is the fastest one there? Do you do things on it that would make me cringe and yell, "Be careful!"?

Are there baseballs and bats, soccer balls and footballs there? New ones that never lose their air no matter how hard you use them? Do you have a new lefthanded baseball glove now?

Are there baseball cards in heaven and others to trade with? And maybe you have some one to help you with them now. I never did quite get the hang of it, did I?

I am sure you don't need to do jumping jacks in heaven if you don't behave and you'll never have another nosebleed again. You can wear sweaters in the hot weather and shorts in the cold weather. Never make your bed again or clean the bathroom. No more sifting cat litter, Shawn, and no more garbage to take out on Monday evenings.

If I could I would give you all of those things right here on earth but most of all I would give you the biggest hug ever and tell you that I love you. God had other plans and I can't say that I am happy about them but I know we will be together with you someday. Do you remember when I told you I had always planned to have a little boy named Shawn and spell it just the way you did? It is funny how God found you for us - I just wish He had given us more time together. I love you, Shawn, - we all do. We will miss you more than you could ever have imagined, my freckle-faced, blue-eyed boy.

This is from Shawn's brother who was nine at the time. It starts off with a big "I "heart" you, Shawn

I wish that you were still alive! Because I liked it when you were encouraging me to turn more when you were teaching me to ride my Harley-Davidson motorcycle bike and I hope you and Doug meet up in heaven and you can have access to a hoop and a ball and so you can play Baskett (sic) Ball, 1-on-1. And everyone missess (sic) you and even grandpa and grandma Crist came up from arizona and uncle Bob came over from Green Bay and Grandma Terry came down with Karen! So, you can see how many people came here just because they love you.