My Dearest Sister Shawna,
How can I ever put into words the precious moments and memories I've had with you?! [My Exemplar and closest Sister Friend and Sister in age!]
You were always our Peacemaker in the Family! In fact I don't ever remember having an argument or fighting with you. Who would ever want to do that? You lived on a higher plane and were so diplomatic and fair that you [amazingly] were able to kindly work out any differences that someone might have had, without stirring up contention!
On special occasions as a close Family, we would spend time reading aloud to each other our Patriarchal Blessings for Family Home Evening. It helped us develop a greater love and appreciation for one another and thrill in the gifts and blessings that were uniquely in store for each other! I remember that Jerry's Blessing told of the great love he had for his Parents and Family, and always knew why he loved keeping track of relatives and enjoyed talking about everyone's Genealogy. And Marsha was promised that she would live a righteous life and then be changed in the twinkling of an eye. [Remember what a blessing that was when she was going to Rose Mar Beauty School down in the Valley, when we heard on the radio that there had been a mass shooting there. You and I were in a Stake Volleyball Tournament, and Daddy and Michele were there to cheer us on. Remember how Daddy took all of us into a small room down the hall from the Gym, where we all knelt down to pray for Marsha's protection. I remember before we prayed what a sick feeling I had in the pit of my stomach, that I couldn't even eat my lunch. But right after Daddy's prayer, we remembered the promise in her Patriarchal Blessing,.. and it made it possible for us to finish off the tournament with faith and trust in the Lord that Marsha would be OK. Sure enough, Daddy kept calling home until Mom finally receive news that Marsha had called and was alright! What a comfort and relief to know she was safe and unharmed!
Then in Michele's Patriarchal Blessing, she was promised that she had a gift in music and if she chose to develop it she would receive great rewards. At her Funeral as we looked up and saw the stand and choir loft filled with family and friends singing her song,....wasn't it a thrilling sight to see?! Didn't we know just how happy she must have been?!
Honey after reading your Patriarchal Blessing today, I forgot that you also were blessed to be able to "teach through the medium of music," because of "your thorough understanding of the principles of the Gospel." Your gift of Faith was mentioned several times, "that through your faith many shall be healed." "You shall visit the sick and you shall comfort and strengthen them. You shall pray for those in need and they shall be helped." [I remember the times you would come by our House in town, and I had been so depressed that I was in bed. [I was too embarrassed to let you know how down I really was.] But you would stop in and bring a special article in the Ensign that you felt I needed. After visiting with you a little bit, I felt so much better! Because of your cheerful uplifting attitude, you never judged me for being so down and discouraged, but would be so compassionate and understanding. You always looked for positive answers and offered me such good suggestions! And after you left, I felt so much better! You filled me with hope... because of your shining example it gave me the will to try hard again! I always wanted to be like you, so that seemed to give me the motivation to get myself going again! [And I thought so much of you that I didn't want to disappoint you!]
Your Blessing also told how much the Lord loves you for your faith, your gentleness and for your love for your parents. "He loves you for the influence that you shed upon His children in your heavenly home...to accept [His plan of Salvation] and not follow the plan given by Satan." { Wow! What an effective warrior you were for the Lord!]
The part of your Blessing that I loved as a young girl growing up, was where it told: ...when you left your heavenly home, the Savior placed His hands upon your head and set you apart and gave you a blessing that you may be able to combat and overcome temptation." [Just reading it again,... still makes me cry like it did back then. That's why I felt like you were an earthly Angel!] You always seemed more like my mother than a sister,... because you were always encouraging me to do the right thing! [Like the way Natalie felt about Rosy!] When I'd get off the bus and come home from school hauling all my heavy books in one arm and my saxophone case in the other. As soon as I got the front door of our house open, I would just drop my heavy armload onto the closest couch I could get to in the Living Room! But somehow you were always there to say: "Oh honey, why don't you just carry those on into your room and then you won't mess up the Living Room and have to clean it later?!" [How could I ever argue with such kind and gentle persuasion and reasoning?!!]
One of the earliest memories I have was kind of a funny one. I guess we shared our baths together when I was little,... so that on Saturday night you could make sure I got my hair washed clean enough for Sunday. I remember how you would have me lay down in front of you with my head in your lap, so you could shampoo my hair. You were so gentle when you poured water over my hair and didn't get any in my eyes. I trusted you because my ears were under the water, and usually I couldn't stand getting water in my ears. As you washed and rinsed my hair you would be talking to me upside down,....and your bottom lip looked like your top lip and your top lip became like your bottom one to me. There I was with my ears under water not really being able to hear you, but just thinking how funny and different you looked upside down with your mouth movin' up and down!![]()
Shawna dear, there were so many memories and experiences I had with you, since Daddy's accident when Mom had to go out and work. I felt like I had 4 mothers! Grandma Tenney who came to live with us, Marsha, you and Mother! How can a one girl be so blessed?! [Having 4 bosses!]
After you got married and started having children, by the time you got to Heather, I had gotten married and had Darci. When you guys moved up to Snowflake, we really started getting to have more contact and have our kids grow close. Then when we moved up to Snowflake too to get to live by the Jackson Cousins, our kids got to grow up like Bro. and Sisters! What a fun life and memories they all had together!
Darn Honey, there are just so many memories to mention, but I'm already getting this Birthday Letter off to you late and I'm supposed to be at the Stake Women's Conference in a few minutes. But I just want you to know just how very much I love you my dear Shawna and have been praying fervently that your Hospital visit yesterday [on your Birthday] was a blessing!... and that those attending you were directed by the Lord, and truly inspired!
I want you to know that Doug also loves and prays for you in every prayer. And Bro. Mike Lunt your hometeacher told us that you are being prayed for in High Council Meeting.
We know what a precious daughter of our Heavenly Father you are and I feel so privileged to have been blessed to be your little sister!
All my [and our] Love,
Always, Forever and Eternally,
Tami ![]()
and Doug
OXOXOX
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