Shannon is in my Dreams – and on my Kitchen Wall..

October 20, 2011

This month is Domestic Violence Awareness month.
I had no clue about this until it hit home this summer.
Those of you who have been following me..
 know my best friend, Shannon, was killed this June.
The estranged father of her children shot her during a custody exchange.
the final shot as she lay already wounded on the ground.
It’s like a dream….that ever so often hits me
and I feel nauseas and say a prayer and try not to think of how she died..
but how she LIVES. At Peace in Heaven.
Safe.. and where we all hope to one day be!
Back Home..Cherokee County remembers
Domestic Violence victims
including my best friend Shannon.


I Pray that this will encourage people to get out, speak up, and find safety.
Shannon is mentioned in this article written about tonight’s
Candlelight Vigil put on by the Cherokee County Violence Center

Every time I walk through the frozen food section of our store
I remember the moment I was told on the phone
what happened..and remember breaking down crying. 
For months I avoided that aisle.
But every time I see Pink Clouds.. I think of Shannon.
It looks like a glow coming from heaven…
left photo: on a car ride home  –  right photo: Her children’s baptism
Shannon comes to me in my dreams..
The last time “his” shadow was there too.
So it was a bitter sweet dream.
I woke up wanting to remember everything that happened though.
He gave her something..to win her back..and I can’t remember “what” she gave him…
but it symbolized that it was over. that she was never going to be his.
Then no matter how hard I tried to get ready to meet her
I wasn’t moving fast enough..and then it was over. 
She was there saying come on natalie!! haha. 
It’s funny because we used to get ready together for things..
We would both be in the bathroom doing our hair or makeup in the mirror being silly.
We used to go to XLT a Praise and Worship Night at the local Catholic High School.
We went every week.. and then went to taco mac/brusters with friends.
We had lots of fun together. We laughed A LOT. 
and sang dashboard confessional in the car at the top of our lungs. 


I have this photo on my fridge. I love you girls!
(Remember Shannon’s face in this photo….)

I had posted about this childhood
drawing of mine a while back…
How, during one rough day, I was unpacking boxes from our move
 and found this drawing I did when I was little..
just of me as a mommy with a guardian angel. 
No reason really behind it. 
But now……it means the world. 
It’s my shannon! (look at photo above)..
and it was a gift from above giving me strength to get through that day..
every day.



I framed it with an Ikea frame..
and hung it on my Kitchen wall.
Now, every day when I look at it, I can remember this blessing from above
and how Shannon is my guardian angel.





I will always love you Shannon..and miss you.
We were blessed to have had you in our life.
Please Pray for peace in our world 
and for all those affected by Domestic Violence.



To read all posts related to Shannon you can click here.
Please share her story..donate if you can.
If you have been touched by her story and would like to 
visit her Memorial Page you can visit here. 

3
  • Evelien
    October 21, 2011 at 2:52 am

    I always have to cry when you post something about Shannon… It feels like she was such a strong woman, an example to live by!

  • Cheryl E.
    October 21, 2011 at 8:08 am

    Beautiful post about Shannon as always. Love your idea of putting that picture on your kitchen wall. Great reminder of her always.

  • Unknown
    October 23, 2011 at 9:46 am

    Natalie, I really love this post. 1 because it spreads awareness for DV month, 2 because Shannon and I used to sing Dashboard Confessionals at the top of our lungs as well and that made me smile. You have a way with words Natalie. I appreciate everything you write. It’s truly touching.