This, I just recently added to my collection of short stories and I thought of you, the entire time I wrote it:

             Dedicated To Shawn and All Believers
     “Why is it we’re unable to see the stars and planets during the day-time, Grandfather?” three year old Isabelle asked while she and her grandfather, Rutherford Adams, were perched on rocks that protected the Maine Coast Line from erosion; on this one summer day.
“That, my child is when the stars and planets are sleeping,” he replied and smiled.
After a moment of deep thought, the young child asked, “Do they sleep during the day, when we’re awake and then they appear at night, while we’re sleeping?”
“Exactly, my little one.”
“So, when does God sleep?”
“As long he’s assured we’re on watch, during the day and the stars and planets watch over the entire universe, at night, while we sleep, he’s busy creating more planets and collecting more stars to add to the nighttime sky.”
“Where does he find the stars and planets?” she asked.
“That is a question millions of people have asked over the centuries and those are secrets God keeps to himself.”
“Are those secrets also known as miracles?” the tiny tot asked.
“They are, indeed, my sweet child.”
“So, what do you believe the stars and planets are?”
“You remember when your beloved dog, Rusty, went to Heaven?”
“Yes, of course and it was the saddest day of my life.”
“I know it was, but what I believe the stars and planets are, are our pets and loved ones, who are on their way to Heaven.”
“So those twinkling lights are all our loved ones on their way to Heaven?” she asked.
“Yes, I believe that to be true and you must remember, Heaven is billions of miles away and it takes some time for our loved ones to arrive.”
“What do they do while on their journey to Heaven and how long does it take for them to get there?”
“No one knows how long the journey is and we have to be comforted to know, while these stars and planets are awake, and twinkling in the nighttime sky, they are watching over us with love and each and every one of those celestial beings know who each and every one of us are.”


The End
J Cherbonneau
Copyright 2024

I love and miss you and always will.

Love Mom

Happy Heavenly Birthday, my son. With your birthday so close to Thanksgiving, and your sister's as well, it certainly was a time for celebration. How I remember you teasing me: Working 3rd shift, I was always up all night getting our feast prepared and you always arrived about 9 AM, making fun of me. "Got to get here early!" That was the time you realized it was turkey time!

Dear Shawn,
I pray Heaven is a glorious as you hoped it would be and have found peace and suffer no more pain. I miss you so much and as the years pass, my heart will always have a special place, in it, just for you. We will meet again, I know it.  Love Mom.

I see your imagine any times in the clouds, snowbanks with the light at a certain angle. I miss you and the wonderful times we spent together, especially working on H-8! You were the most humorous and 'keeper of history" that I ever knew. A talented artist and the list goes on and on. Miss you, Love Mom.

Happy Angel Birthday, my son. I remember the day you were born, as if it were today. I truly wish it was, so I could do so many things differently; the main thing would have been to remain on Cape Cod. That was yours, Heather's and my favorite place in the world. I miss so many things about you; your sense of humor and sarcasm, intelligence and vast amount of knowledge you had. Happy Birthday and I love you.  Mom  P.S. Something large pulled my bird feeder down last night. Bent the pole from the ground up. I'm thinking it was a bear, that wolf I had that stopped by or was it you? You were always playing tricks on me! 

In the 6 years since you, my son Shawn died, he and I have not stopped our relationship; I am just still learning how to have a different one with him. It's work, and it's hard. His absence is, well, very present.

I will always celebrate your birthdays and be so proud of you and your accomplishments in your short time on this planet. There is nothing that fills my heart with more joy than to talk about you. My beautiful, magical, wonderful, kind, and unique son.

In this chaos and clarity of the past 6 years, I know that love for your child never ends, that this unique bond is eternal. ❤

Happy Angel Birthday, my son. Never does a day go by without my thinking of you, several times. I feel our presence around me at many odd times. Your cardinal visits at the birdfeeder are my most joyous times of day. One day, we will be reunited and what a special day that will be. Happy Birthday, Shawn. I love and miss you every day. Love Mom <3

Wishing you a very special, Happy Angel Birthday, Shawn. I wish I could visit with you, one last time and give you one more hug, but more importantly, tell you how much I love and miss you. Love Mom

I Love and Miss you everyday sweetheart. R.I.P.

There are no words I can put on paper to say how much I love and miss you, Shawn.

rest in peace shawn godbless

Rest in peace Shawn

He will be dearly missed. so many memories of him that will never be forgotten. R.I.P dear friend.