For those without Facebook:
On behalf of Shannon and Kayla I can't thank everyone enough for the outpouring of love and support for us over the weekend. A big thank you goes out to Ricky Berry, Adam Woodlee, Jim Kirby, Jason Washburn, and Heather-Nate Tucker for making the procession an organized success. I'm sure others were involved, so please share this with them. It was a beautiful thing to see, although I hope we never have to do it again! When I was first approached about doing a buggy procession, my cautious, analytic mind wondered if it could be kept organized, or if was appropriate. Then I heard Shannon in the back of my mind saying "Do it! You only live once!". She really taught me how to come out of my shell and live life to the fullest.
We appreciate so much the flower arrangements everyone sent to the ceremony. Shannon was all girl and loved flowers! All of the handwritten notes were great as well; we read every one of them. Some family and friends traveled 1000+ miles one-way to selflessly be there to honor Shannon the way I tried to every day. I promise that did not go unnoticed. Thank you to all who were unable to attend and sent messages or called to show your support. I know there are more that would like to offer condolences but can't find the right words, I understand and thank you. I apologize for not answering all the calls and messages as they came in, as it's been difficult to form a cohesive sentence on the phone the past week.
The contributions made to the fundraiser have taken a financial burden from Kayla and allowed her to return to PA with me to help get all affairs in order. She knew I didn't need to return alone and would have came anyway, this just takes the worry out of it. Thank you to Little Red Doghouse for taking our four pooches in with no notice and with no idea of how long, all free of charge. Shannon wouldn't trust anyone else to care for them. Thanks to Eva Evans and Jonathan Evans for taking the reins on the funeral arrangements. It was beautiful service that I feel honored her the way she deserved. The funeral home gave us a stack of 'thank you' notes to mail out, but since my family and friends are all on Facebook I'm going to give thanks this way. I hope it's not bad manners.
In closing I would like to share some life lessons and relationship advice I've learned from Shannon and others associated with her: If there's someone you love that you are not on good terms with, squash it! Call them today and hash it out. You can agree to disagree, just let them know how you feel about them. To the guys, there's nothing more macho than telling your woman every day how much you love her. If she feels confident in your relationship, you'll never have to worry. To the girls, just because a woman is beautiful it doesn't mean she knows it. She's probably more insecure than you realize. And she's not responsible for how your man acts when she's around! Shannon could never figure out why so many girls seemed to dislike her when she was always so welcoming. She would say "Hell I'm 42 years old with wrinkles! Why would a 25 year old be mean to me?". It would break her heart. And to everyone else, when you get in your vehicle buckle your seat belt! Not because the government tells you to, but because there is someone who's world would collapse if you don't come home. Sorry for the long post but I wanted to cover everything on my mind.