Saturday, March 19, 2011

Heaven's Prettiest Angel


Sadly for us....we had to say goodbye to our sweet dear Shauna today.

But for her~ she must be filled with happiness...
for she was able to meet our Wonderful Creator and our Loving Savior.

I can't even imagine the pure joy of getting an embrace in the loving arms of Jesus.

What a sweet moment that must be.

Shauna fought this terrible cancer for nearly 2 years now.

It has been a difficult and painful journey....physically and emotionally.

But she fought it with more bravery than could ever be imagined.

She never let it shape who she was.



She never complained.


Doctor after doctor and nurse after nurse always told us how special that she was.
one of kind.

But of course...they didn't need to tell us.
We already knew.



We have shed so many tears today.
And we will continue to cry for years to come.

There won't be a day when we won't think of her and miss her.

Because she is special.



She was fun.

She was full of energy.

She was sunshine.


She was good.

She was pure.

She was faithful.



She was a mom.





She was a daughter.





She was a sister.





She was a friend.

~~~

Shauna never let her Faith waver.

To the end she was thinking of others and whose soul she could still reach out to.


Her final evening~ Friday night~ she hosted a girls' party for some of her close friends and family members.

She was still at home...where she wanted to be.

Of course we didn't know this would be our last night with her.

But what a blessing for all of us.

And it was exactly how she would have wanted it~ being surrounded by a house full of loved ones.


If by some force of magic I could get one wish~

I would wish for a day to spend with my sister.

With her healthy and walking. With no cancer.

We could have such fun talking, singing, and being in the garden.

Oh how my heart aches for a day like that again.



The beauty is....

one day that wish will be fulfilled through a promise.

And it won't be just one meager day.

It will be an eternity together.

Laughing. Singing. Being in the perfect Garden of Heaven.





Thank you to all my friends that have been here during these hard times.

Thank you for letting me share my burdens with you.
Thank you for carrying them with me.

Your friendship and prayers and tender words have meant more to me than words can ever say.

Thank you for letting me share the life of my beautiful sister with you.



All my love~

Chasity






I miss you already my sweet baby sister.
I look longingly for the day we will meet again.
Your big sis~
Chas

53 comments:

Kimberly said...

God bless you and your family. I'm writing through tears. Although I have never met you or your sister personally, I have followed your stories faithfully on your blog. Thank you for sharing and allowing us to be a part of your lives. You and Shauna are both a bright light of hope and faith in a hurting world. I rejoice that she is with her Savior at last! Thank you for your posting on such a day as this. May God hold you close in His arms in the days and weeks ahead.

Anita said...

My heart goes out to you and your family. May God comfort you and hold you tight in your sorrow. I've only met you through your blog, but your sister was a shining example of courage.
With my deepest sympathy,
Anita

Coloradolady said...

My prayers are for you and your family. I am so very sad to hear this, I always prayed for a miracle. I too lost a younger sister when I was 10 years old. That seems like a lifetime ago, and reality I guess it is. It was so hard living this life without a sister. It still is today.

Shauna knew how much she was loved, and she loved so much. I know she is in a wonderful place, but that does not help with the hurting her loved ones are left with.

I will keep you in my prayers for the days to come.

Bevy @ Treasured Up and Pondered said...

oh Chas...

I'm writing this with tears and a lump and a heart rejoicing that you will see your sister again and I'll get to meet her too - one day.

This is hard to hear but your words, the words you shared with us about your sister now and the ones your wrote in the past has made me feel that I knew you and your sister (and Debbie, too)- personally.

I know and understand what your going through. I'll be thinking of you with special love and prayers and for her dear husband and sweet babies. Hugs to all...feel our sympathy and care.
May you feel God's peace and great comfort embracing you.

Bernie said...

Love you and Debbie, many prayers for the Hecks and the Mortons tonight.....xo

the wild raspberry said...

Chasity, this is just what needed to be said and seen. I hoped you would write a beautiful tribute to Shauna and I am so thankful that you did. I love you so much. We have to help each other keep going until we can all be together again in that beautiful field laughing and talking and making daisy chains with our sweet sister. I love you.
~Debbie

Summer said...

Oh dear ,What can any one person say to take away your pain this night .... I do not know you personally (in person ) but personally I know you because of this beautiful,wonderful&heartfelt
blog page that I visit so often since I happenstanced upon it some time ago....The most beautiful description of your brave and noble sister allows us to know what she was like....But to know her would have been an honor and a pleasure....I am so deeply saddened to hear this news yet I too rejoice that finally she is with JESUS .....The indescrible , unimaginable and irrestible SAVIOUR
that someday we shall be with too ....Yes you will see your sister again but for now it is ok to grieve .... Read the book of Ecclesiastes and cry out to El Sali which in Hebrew translates to GOD my ROCK or GOD of my STRENGTH .....I will lift you and yours in prayer .... : (

Simply Debbie said...

Dear Precious Chasity,
I just read through my google reader....I am hugging you so very tight as well as Shauna's children and husband. I am crying for Joy for her and I know what sadness there will be for you.
Shauna was the last in our group that was diagnosed at about the same time...all faught with bravery, never complaining, always putting others first. Shauna was as a beautiful rose that God wanted to be in his presence...why would He not...she lived everything he taught.
SHAUNA AND YOU, CHAS HAVE BEEN SUCH AN INSPIRATION TO ME AND MANY, MANY OTHERS.
I will pray for strength for you...How very, very beautiful your post was to her.
You are beautiful and full of God's Grace Chas, but I know in the very sad time as this, it offers little comfort when you just want to be with your sister again...but you will be with her and Jesus one day and how glorious that will be...just as the day my beloved Amy and I are rejoined.
I LOVE YOU
I AM PRAYING FOR YOU
TIGHT HUGS
Simply Debbie

junquegypsy said...

I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May God comfort and bless you.

Anonymous said...

prayers to you and your family. it sounds like shauna was an amazing example of God's work at it's finest! May you all be comforted in the knowledge that her beautiful smile is a bright light in heaven!

Lakeshore Cottage Living said...

I too am typing through tears. You are right...she is in heaven with our eternal Father...who has His arms wrapped around her. She is no longer battling cancer, but sinding praise.

But your family is still here to be His hands and feet and it is hard because we long for the ones we have lost. I will be lifting you all up in prayer and thinking of you...all I can say is it doesn't get easier with time, but you will be able to celebrate her life without crying so much as time goes by...does that make sense? Shauna was not someone I knew, but I felt like I knew her through all of your postings and updates. Hugs to you Chas.

Kristine

Unknown said...

Chasity
Thank you for sharing. I know you were so close and you had to watch her suffer and it was so hard on you. What a wonderful tribute. I wish I could have known her but feel like I did through you, your mom and dad. Take care and know my thoughts and prayers are with you. Love,
Mickey

Tiffany said...

I am so sorry to hear about Shauna~ I wish there were perfect words I could say to help ease the pain.... ~ Your beautiful post is such an incredible tribute to her. You and your family are such amazing people, you will need to lean on each other as you have been so far and even more. My heart is broken for you all ~ I wish you peace and love through all of this and I will be thinking of all of you every day!
Love, Tiffany

Mandy Fischle said...

Oh how my heart aches for you and your family. I don't know you personally but your words have always spoken to me. I write this through tears that I am do deeply sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing yours and your sisters beautiful life with us. I cannot even imagine the pain you must feel. But you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Keep smiling as I'm sure she would have wanted you to.

LeAnna said...

Praying you for you and your families. Losing a sibling is so hard, I've seen first hand when my husband lost his brother. May the peace of Christ be with each of you.

Unknown said...

I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Your beautiful sister will be missed by us, in blogland as well.
I pray for you and your family that you live as Shauna would expect...keep love and faith as she so perfectly set an example.
There are no words...
**Tami

pchickki said...

I found you through Simply Debbie and I want to say my heart goes out to you and your family. God Bless you.

It is not easy to let go of a loved one but you are comforted in that she is with the Lord and not suffering any longer.

Buttercup said...

Stopping by from Debbie's blog. My heart and prayers are with you and your family.

Julia said...

Such a beautiful tribute, Chas. Wishing I could hug you tight... and looking forward to Heaven. I love you.

Kim said...

I wish I had the words to convey by sympathy appropriately but there are no words when you lose someone so close to you and that you love so much. I know this will be a very difficult time for you and your family and her husband and children. I have been following your blog for about a year now (I blog hopped from another blog who is a member of the church) and have found encouragement from your site. I wish I could do the same for you now and I know that nothing I could say will ever make this pain go away (I lost a brother), but I can pray for you and your family! One thing that always helped me to pray for your family is the clock on your blog. I thought about it this morning during opening prayer and it was always a good reminder for me to pray for your sister. Tonight, when I checked my emails/blogs, etc. I saw your post and just wanted to let you know that although I don’t personally know you, my heart goes out to you and will continue to keep you all in our prayers! What a beautiful person she was and what a beautiful tribute you gave her. Although I am sure your tears are constant, there are No Tears in Heaven, and one day you will get to see your beloved sister again. In Christian Love, Kim

*The Beautiful Life* said...

Oh Chasity,

My heart is utterly breaking. I am crying, no, sobbing... as I write this. I am so sorry, hon. So sorry.

I lost my mother almost a year ago and her birthday was last Monday. I know loss. And I fell the loss of Shauna so palpably.

Sweetie -- it is hard, so hard even for us who never met her -- I can't imagine what it is for you and your family.

Thank you ---- thank you for sharing her with all of us. I count it a privilege to have been able to be part of her Caring Bridge circle, to correspond with her and keep up with her.

My heart is just absolutely breaking now -- and I so wish I could attend her services.

Hon, please know that I feel so a part of this -- perhaps strangely so, but I do.

Much, much love to you....

Please, bid her good bye for me...

Ruth

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

Though I only know you and Shauna through your blog...I've become attached I suppose through prayer and thoughts for your family.

I know it must be hard to have to write us and tell us this news. But you did a wonderful job (as always) showing us in this journey, who Shauna was in Christ and as a person.
She will be missed and her memory will always be sweet to you.
But I'm praising God with you that He is Sovereign and holds the answers to the things we don't understand--
I pray that He gives you the peace that surpasses all your understanding and guards your hearts and minds in these things--even on the days when you struggle to understand it most!
Grace and Peace to you and your family.

Pat

Annesphamily said...

I am so sorry for your loss but I never stopped praying for Shauna and your family. Please accept my sympathy for your loss. We all know this is the Lord's gain! I think your sister was an absolute sweet angel living on this earth to make you all smile. I notice her smiling in every single photo I have ever seen of her. You are very blessed for having this beautiful courageous young woman as your sister. God Bless each one of you! Anne

Lucy said...

I am so so sorry to hear this, my thoughts are with you and all Shauna's family.

Marli said...

So sorry to hear of your loss! I pray that God will wrap His BIG arms around you...and give you peace. Although, I do not know you...I love you....

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Chas Sweetie...
Such a beautiful tribute. Wishing I could hug you tight. I am so sorry for you loss sweet friend, but Shauna suffers and feels pain no more.

I loved her smile. In every photo of her she was smiling. Such a beacon for us all. Thank you for sharing her with all of us sweet friend.

I am storming the heavens for prayers for you, your family and Shauna's family. May you all find the comfort that you need at this time to get through each day. She will alway be just a memory away.

Hugs, hugs, hugs sweet friend. Much love, Sherry

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Oh Chasity...How I wish I could reach through the computer and hug you and Debbie tight. I'm so sorry and my heart goes out to you and your family.

Shauna lived a life that was an inspiration to us all. What an amazingly amazin' woman. So special God wanted her to make heaven brighter. There's comfort in knowin' that she's dancin' with Jesus now.

You girl take care, love her children...their gonna need you more than ever and know that you are in my heart and prayers.

God bless and may he grant you the peace that passes all understanding.

~Violet~ said...

Your words touched my heart on a level I can't explain. Your sister truly sounds like an angel, even through the sadness, hope & love shines through. Your sweet tribute to Shauna is so beautiful. Thanks for sharing from your heart. Prayers, hugs & much love being sent your way....

Heidi Pocketbook said...

I found my way over here from Simply Debbie's blog. I am so sorry for your loss--your sister sounded like such a wonderful woman. I can't imagine how much you miss her, but to know she is in heaven is so comforting.

What a beautiful eulogy--brought tears to my eyes.

Heidi

Lisa Ann said...

I am so absent words as my throat is tightening. I have checked so often to see if an updated post would be written. I almost squint while I wait for my computer to load. I guess this is my way of softening the possible update that may appear... an internal fear that such a loss would occur. Reading your words bring tears to my eyes. You are as much an honor to your sister as she will always be to you. God has given you such Grace...True Grace.
I am so deeply sorry for your hurt. I am so sorry for her beautiful family. Let God carry you. You are loved.

Deanna said...

Prayers for you and your families. "How beautiful Heaven will be sweet home of the Happy and Free" and "No tears in Heaven, no sorrows given" are two songs that come to mind when I'm missing my loved ones. May God wrap you in His love and comfort you as only he can.

Unknown said...

Chastity, ma you know that Shauna is a beautiful woman that gave us all inspiration. She gave love to all, cared for all ... without question.

Shauna now sits at the feet of Jesus. May you feel in your loss, her joy to be with Him forever peacefully, never to know pain or suffering again, just pure heaven.

Many hugs, deep love & prayers for all of you ... be strong as God is with you, Shauna still lives in your hearts & memories.

Your friend in prayer ~
Marydon

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

Girls.....
I am sitting here with tears in my eyes and hurting for you. God Bless Shauna...and God Bless all of you. Shauna is a beautiful person - but now, a beautiful and PERFECT person. Her spirit and bravado shines. I will always remember her and her perseverance.

God, please hold this family tight. May the kindess and the spirit of our Father embrace everyone in Shauna's life.

((hugs)) with tears,
Becky

Lori said...

Debbie and Chasity, my heart is breaking for you and your families. I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful sister and friend. God be with you and help you through your pain.

Vintage Sandy said...

To Shauna's family,I do not know any of you only have read your loving posts of her...makes my heart sad for you but, with the promise of our Heavenly Father you will all meet again in a much better place someday. My deepest sympathy to you. What a beautiful tribute to her!
Hugz
Sandy

Funky Junk Interiors said...

I am so deeply sorry for your precious loss. However I too can't wait to meet your infamous Shauna. Her smile drew me in everytime.

I'll be praying for you. xo

Donna

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

Chasity, I am so so sorry....my eyes are filled with tears as I read this beautiful tribute to your sweet sister....our faith is what gets us through these very difficult times and the knowledge that we will see them again....cling to that...Shauna was so blessed to have the family that she had...I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

Lou Cinda

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

You and your family are in my prayers. May the Lord guide you through this process of losing a loved one. I prayed for your sister many~many times. My heart hurts for you and your family.
God Bless,
Ginger

River-Rose said...

I am so sorry for the loss of dear Shauna. What a bright an beautiful, giving spirit she is. Many prayers for your family

Blondiensc said...

I hoped I would never have to read a post like this from you, I am teary eyed...I am so sorry for your great loss of such a special person, wife, mother, daughter and sister...I do hope you find comfort in him and knowing she is not hurting anymore...big hugs to you and your whole family, Tara

Trish said...

A beautiful tribute to your beautiful sister.

I lost a sister to this disease too, and my heart aches for you.

God bless.

Lisa said...

I am very sorry I missed this last week. I can only pretend to know how your family hurts. I do hope as the days go on you can smile more than cry when you think of your sister. Please know your entire family is in my thoughts and prayers,
Hugs and prayers Lisa

Draffin Bears said...

I have just come across from Lisa's blog and want to send my deepest sympathy to your family.
May you find comfort in the days ahead and my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Hugs
Carolyn

Nikki @ Saving For A Rainy Day said...

I'm so sad to see Shauna's fight is over. I'm not sure if I've ever commented on your blog before but have been reading for over a year now.

I too have lost my sister-just 4 months ago but under different circumstances. It's very hard on siblings to lose a piece of 'us'.

You are in my prayers!!

PS-Relay for life is a great way to keep her memory alive. I do this in honor of my cousin who lost his battle at only 32 a few years ago.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Precious Chas, I am so very, very sorry for this terrible loss. I just ache for you, and I'm typing through tears . I had left a note over at your blog earlier, but I wanted to come here, too, and pay my respects to both you and Debbie as well as to your other family members. I just wish there was something I could say or do to help. Words seem so terribly inadequate, but please know you are in my heart and my prayers. More importantly, you are in the Lord's care while Shauna, herself, is in His very presence.

Shauna was so beautiful in so many ways, and she left such a legacy of love and courage. Thank you, sweet girls, for sharing that with us and for sharing your own hearts as well.

Love you...

XO,

Sheila :-)

Widge said...

I am just visiting from a link over at Shelia's blog.
What an absolutely beautiful smile your Sister had. I'm sorry to hear of your families loss xoxo
kia kaha (be strong) from Christchurch New Zealand

Mike Golch said...

I came for a vist from ANNE's Blog. My condolences on the loss of your sister.

Intense Guy said...

God bless you.

I never met your sister and the sadness I feel is that I will never be lucky enough to do so while here on Earth - and even sadder for those she left behind grieving.

Your memories of her are simply wonderful - and so filled with smiles. I'm sure she would want us to smile warmly - no matter how hard it might be - when she is thought of and remembered.

Over from Anne's Phamily...

Please know many thoughts and prayers are with you today -

Anonymous said...

I was SO sad to read on Mrs. Magpie's post about Shauna. My heart just aches over her passing for she was far too young. However, as you said, she was full of unwavering faith and I know she was in the arms of the Lord the moment she left this earth.

Your photos and words are such a tribute to her. I, too, lost my sister at a young age. . . she was my best friend and I still miss her deeply. She passed away over 20 years ago.

My prayers are sent out for you two and the entire family to help comfort you.

dana

Lelia Chealey said...

I;m so sorry. She is beautiful. I love that you all had such a special night with her on Friday night.

Elizabeth Maxson said...

Chasity,

I am so sorry to find out about your sister. I hope the pain of her passing is slowing being replaced with the good memories. I have been reading blogs yesterday and today, catching up on long lost reading and my heart just went out to you when I read this. A friend of mine just passed away less than a month ago, at 42, after fighting 2 years of cancer herself.

I just posted late last night a post on my blog that is like no other post I have ever done ...a letter from a woman that Jo Packham shared with me - a very heart wrenching letter but heartwarming letter about how she dealt with the passing of her son by doing something creative and she is thanking Jo for all that she does for us creative types. How ironic that I click on your blog today to catch up and find this.

May God bless you and bring you comfort and peace in the coming months.

Big hug,
Elizabeth

Jami said...

Some how I stumbled across your blog and so thankful I did. I lost my little brother 3 years ago. Tonight I was really missing him and wishing I could spend one more day with him. As I read your words about your sister it made me think we all have angels watching over us. Thank you for making me feel better even though I do not know you or your sister. But the love of siblings is a strong love that goes into eternity.

Naquillity said...

i wanted to say i've been away from blogging for some time now and just read the news of your sister Shauna's passing. i am so very sorry for your loss. may she rest in peace and dance in Heaven with the angels. may God comfort you and your family.