My Sister Shannon

We arrived home from the honeymoon late last night. I couldn't really sleep because I was thinking about Shannon so much. I called Mom and we chatted for a while. It was hard to believe that Shannon could really be leaving us. I finally did get to sleep.

The phone rang at about 5:30 this morning. It was my mom calling to tell me that Shannon had passed away in the night peacefully. I couldn't believe it. I can't believe it. We were just with her in the temple last week and she looked so good and so happy. How could she have gone so quickly?

Shannon was born with Cystic Fibrosis. I have grown up my whole life knowing that she might have a shortened life but its hard to believe its actually happened. As a family we have prepared for Shannon to leave us on a few occasions but she's always pulled through. This time she just decided the time was right. Heaven knows she's been through a lot on this earth. She had Cystic Fibrosis, Diabetes, two double lung transplants, had her eye removed due to a fungus, and has endured all of the medications, treatments and side effects that accompany all of the above.

I am at peace with her passing but I haven't come to terms with it yet. I am experiencing such a whirlwind of emotions because I don't want this to overshadow Suz and our new marriage in any way yet I want to mourn the loss and be with family too. The ups and downs of life are so interesting. I can't really think straight right now even though I'm fairly calm. Maybe I'm in shock. I love you Shannon and I will miss you!

That's Shannon in the top left with her cute little eye patch on. This was taken one week before she passed. This is the last picture I have of her. Sadly my whole family wasn't there so this picture is missing two siblings, Eric and Janel.