Shawn Marie and I have been friends since we were 10 years old. Actually to hear Shawn tell it, she was friends with my twin brother Mark first and I was the bonus friend!
Shawn and I had many nicknames for each other. We called each other "Twin Sis" in elementary school because we decided that Mark and I really should have been triplets and she was our other sister. Then we became "Tin Twins" when we both had braces in 9th grade. We loved that we shared a middle name, so to everyone else we were Shawn Marie and Michl Marie. Of course to me, she was also Red, Red Hot, Hot Redhead and the original Fireball!
I have so many wonderful memories with Shawn. She was present for the big milestones in my life – like high school and college graduations; we were bridesmaids in each other’s weddings; and we celebrated careers and motherhood. But I will also cherish the memories of our countless sleepovers, singing at the top of our lungs in her closet to everything from Michael Jackson to UB40, playing fashion show at Contempo Clothing at the Cerritos Mall, and of course, cruising around Norwalk in her Dodge Omni.
Shawn had this amazing knack for making everything fun. Life was an adventure and she lived it to the fullest. She lived with a “Go for it” attitude. You don’t ask permission, just forgiveness if necessary. She was also one of the most positive people I’ve ever known; staying strong even when she had every right not to be. And she gave the best hugs. Shawn’s hugs were not catch and release. She bear-hugged you, and that audible “Umphh” and then came the wiggle. What I would do to have one more of Shawn’s hugs??
Shawn showed us by her example to love like it’s our last day. We never know when we will run out of time. Nothing is promised to us in this world but we are promised an eternal kingdom together if we believe.
So my sweet Shawn Marie, how can I possibly honor our 35+ years of joy, love & friendship? How can I honor how you poured sunshine and music into my life? I can try to share your joy. I can pass it on. I can find a way to turn this broken heart into compassion and service for others like you did so easily.
So I promise Shawn, I will continue to pray for stronger faith for me and everyone who loves you. I pray we all believe that sunshine and music will come back in our lives even in this darkest hour.
I will continue to pray for Jason, Jaxon and Talon for their health, peace, faith and happiness. And I will pray that you Shawn Marie will be in our hearts forever.
This is not goodbye. I know we’ll meet again.
This is just me saying, “I love you my forever friend.”