Shannon's Funeral

The flowers from my siblings and I for "Our Lovebug"

Words can't express how beautiful today was. It was my little sister's funeral but it was such a peaceful day filled with love and family and good friends. I have to pause and thank my beautiful wife Suzanne for being so great. I drove down to Bakersfield on Tuesday while she flew to L.A. for a business trip. She got to Bakersfield Wednesday night. My whole family came so we had 26 people staying at my parents house ( normally 31 but Shad and Jodi stayed with her parents). Luckily as newlyweds we were granted the honeymoon suite, the trailer in the backyard. It wasn't the Hilton but it was nice to have a place to get away from the crowd because there was nowhere in the house we could do that. Suz was such a good sport and has been so supportive and wonderful whether its coming along with family who she doesn't know that well, making me laugh and just letting me cry. I love you Suz and I'm so thankful you came at just the right time in my life.

This week has been fun and hard all at the same time. Its been good to be home with my siblings and parents but sometimes the memories are so good that it hurts. We've helped run errands and plan the funeral and we've just talked and talked and talked.

Megi called me as I was driving home to Bakersfield and told me that she wanted Lindy, Jerel, and I to sing with her at Shannon's funeral. I laughed because I was sure she was kidding. If you know my family you know that we cry when we sing at any kind of emotional event. They all claim its always my fault but I think I've been used as a scapegoat. Meg wasn't kidding and we decided as siblings that we could do this and do it well for Shannon. We sang "Go Ye Now In Peace" A Capella ending with the 2nd verse of "God Be With You Til We Meet Again". It came off beautifully at the funeral. I couldn't look at anybody and just kept my eyes looking straight up at the ceiling of the chapel which goes against the performer in me but I had to get through it for Shannon.

Many, many friends and family came to greet us before the funeral and it was good to reunite with so many people. Suz was a good sport letting me introduce her to hundreds of strange people. Many friends overwhelmed us during the week also with visits, kind cards and meals for the family. There are so many good people in the world.

The pall bearers (my brothers and I, in laws too) at the graveside

Being a pall bearer was an emotional task for me. It was harder than I thought it would be to carry my sister's casket. I think it made her death very real to me. The graveside service was short and beautiful. We returned to the church for a family lunch and enjoyed being together. I love you Shannon! Thanks for being my sis!

My siblings and I at the graveside