Last Entry from Shannon

This will be my last entry. I thank everyone who prayed for my mom. I still believe in miracles and I will tell anyone to never give up hope when things seem completely hopeless. Through all your prayers and support for our mom I truly believe God gave her the strength and courage to get through the hardest 8 months of her life. This is my tribute to her from Saturday.


I thank everyone for coming today --- it is beautiful to see how mom was loved so much. I cannot express my gratitude to all the people that sent cards to mom to encourage her, brought endless meals, written on our blog, and simply showing her love through these past 8 months. How can you put into words or on paper how much you love your mom. This is difficult for me. My mom was such a beautiful person but even more she was a fabulous mom for us. Mom was the type of mother that would call me, Sarah , and Jenn about 5 times a day just to see what her grandbabies did for that day. She always called me and asked is Nate doing any new tricks today? Mom was always involved and in our business even if we didn't want her in it which was seldom. That is the type of mom she was. She always had a plan. Calling Jenn and planning our beach trips. There is just so much I could say about my mom, we could be here forever. But I think the most I will take away from my mom's life is how she was always behind me 100% in every possible way. Even during my rebellious teenage years, my mother loved me even when i didn't deserve her love. She was the only person that stood by my side when I disappointed everyone around me. She built me up, held my hand, pushed me and made me the incredibly strong woman I am today. People have called me a survivor, and I can only give credit to my mom that created the survivor in me. We had been through everything together. I would not want it any other way. Thank you Lord for blessing me with my mom.
I will stand up here once again and say God is GOOD, and everything he does is for GOOD. I am going to miss my other so extremely much, but I know without a shadow of doubt I will see her beautiful face again. I know, like I know my own name that there is a God in heaven that sent his son to die on a cross for our sins, that it is by our FAITH in Jesus Christ that we can spend eternity with him and with those that believe and love Him. I know my mom loved Jesus. I do have that hope and peace in my heart that we will share eternity with each other. I pray that it is soon. I pray also that if you do not know and have a relationship with our Lord that you ask and receive him today----I know my mother would want everyone she loved and knew to love the Lord.

I will end today with some lyrics from a song that I had heard a couple a months ago. A dear friend had sent me the words through email not knowing that I had loved it. I hadn't heard the song on the radio for a long time and this morning I heard it while I was driving over to mom's house. It describes my emotions clearly and how I am surrendering to the past 8 months.

Jenny Owens

"If you want me to"

The pathway is broken

And the signs are unclear

And I dont' know the reason why You brought me here

But just because You love me the that You do

I'm gonna walk through the valley

If you want me to

Cause I not who I was

When I took my first step

And I'm clinging to the promise You're not through with me yet

so if all of these trials brings me closer to you

Then I will walk through the fire

If you want me to

It may not be the way I would have chosen

When you lead me through a world that is not my home

But you never said it would be easy

You only said I'd never go alone

So when the whole world turns against me

And I'm all by myself

And I can't hear You answer my cries for help

I 'll remember the suffering that Your love put YOU through

And I will walk through the darkness

If you want me to

Cuz when I cross over Jordan

Gonna sing, Gonna shout,

Gonna look into Your eyes and see You NEVER let me down

So take me on the pathway that leads me home to You

And I will walk through the valley

If you want me to

YES, I will walk through the valley

if you want me to.

Love to all -- thanks for praying for mom

Shannon Duff