My Sister, Shawna

In the early hours Sunday morning, December 5th, my older sister Shawna passed away unexpectedly from this life. She was a little over a week out from a brain surgery performed the day after Thanksgiving, that attempted to remove the third and final tumor from her brain. By all accounts the surgery was successful and after being diagnosed with cancer in August of 2009, Shawna appeared to finally be on the road to recovery.

I take comfort in knowing at last her body, which has endured so much in her short life, will now be free from the pains and inflictions she's had to face. I take comfort in knowing that Shawna was able to be at home this past week with her husband and three kids, and that she passed away in her own bed. I take comfort in knowing that I took the chance to call her one more time and that my last words to her were "Happy Thanksgiving Shawna, I love you." I take comfort in knowing I will see her again someday.

I'm not sure if my parents ever officially entitled Shawna to be an acting parent for us kids, but she was and my guess is she took it upon herself. She was my big sister, the oldest child, and I couldn't have asked for better. She was quick to stick up for the younger kids, quick to help my mother with the baby (no matter which one it was at the time), and always there to comfort you when you were down. She was a referee when there was a fight, a counselor when there was confusion, and friend when you were lonely. She was a great example and good teacher. She always put the needs and feelings of others in front of her own. I know that so much of who I am was shaped by her personality, actions, and attributes. As I got older she continued to support me and celebrate my accomplishments despite living so far away. She made the trek from Chicago time and time again for weddings, baby blessings, baptisms, mission farewells, homecomings, and graduations for all of us siblings. You could always count on Shawna being there when you needed her. As her body has finally found rest from her trials and pain, her spirit will live on in those of us that she has touched and helped along the way. Thank you Sis, for everything. I'll miss you, and I love you so much.

--Matt

Julia thought I should add that I'm the brown headed kid in the pictures. In case it wasn't obvious.