Thursday, January 24, 2008

Shannon ...and Crazy 8's


So a few posts back I mentioned that I wanted to tell the story of my friend, Shannon. I got her permission and then I completely freaked out thinking how does one tell the story of Shannon? How on earth am I going to go about telling the entire story of such an incredible person who has lived 30+ incredible years on this earth?

It's a big undertaking, bigger than me, I realized. You can't sum a person like Shannon up in a nutshell, it's just not possible.

When I originally said I wanted to tell her story, I was thinking of telling the story of how she got cancer a few years ago, and many months of uncertainty and 11 (yes, 11!) surgeries later, she stands stronger than she ever was. And I was also thinking about how after being there for her through it all, her fiance (now husband) married her in a gorgeous Kentucky wedding surrounded by all their family and friends, and then she was blessed with a pregnancy on her honeymoon! And we all thought, wow, finally a great gift for this girl, after all that madness. Then she miscarried, twins, at 13 weeks. And even after that, she kept her faith and her dreams alive, and if you met her today, you would see and feel only pure joy.

So the story isn't entirely about Shannon, because that story is much more involved than I can undertake in my little ole blog. But it is a tribute to her strength - that amazing, almost superhuman strength that certain people possess, that just fascinates and inspires me. It's a strength I'm blown away by in Shannon. As she can attest to, pretty much everywhere we go, if there is ever a second of a lull in conversation, I will blurt out with no warning, "Shannon had cancer!"...which I know may seem a little strange, but I just feel so proud of her and I can't help but let people know that she is not just a survivor, she's a champ and my hero.

Also, Shan got mad at me in the comment section of my last post for not 'tagging' her with the Crazy 8's. What Shan doesn't know is she was first on my list, til I realized she doesn't have a blog and so where would she Crazy 8 anyway? Huh, Shannon? That's why I tagged a bunch of blogger pals (sorry guys, I know I don't know all of you all that well and sometimes these things can be a pain, but you're still tagged and I'm waiting for your 8's!) (Thanks, Rebecca!)

Well, tonight, on this day that has marked the 8th week of our waiting, I not only tag Shannon with the Crazy 8's and proclaim her strength to the masses! I also (because I must!) challenge her to start a BLOG! So there.

8 comments:

m&r said...

Such a great post! Thanks for sharing Shannon's story (I'll look forward to reading her 8's when she starts her blog!!)

Christina said...

Awww - Such a great post - Just found your page - i will be sure to follow your journey!!!

Clickin Mama J said...

Hi Angie-

Thanks for visiting my blog. To enter a post in the blog carnival you just have to go to my blog and on the right hand side of the blog there is a widget for the adoption carnival. On that you just click submit an article and then it will walk you through the process. If that doesn't work you can also email me the link to a post you would want me to include and I can add it in that way. My email is jwagoner@cableone.net. Have a great week!

SHANNON NOEL said...

I know not what to say except that Ange is MY hero. We learn from those that we love, that shine, that never give up, even against all odds. I accept the challenge to blog so that I may tell the story of how Ange, Irene, my family, my surgeon and my dear husband saved my life. And how Ange gave me a VESPA.

LISA said...

I finally started a blog, but i'd rather read others blogs!

Unknown said...

Great post sister! You and Shannon are my heros! Keep bloggin! Love ya!

crystal said...

so cute... and as a person who has been there, a few times, when the conversation has stopped and you shout it out- you can totally tell that you are beaming with pride! :)

Danni and Tommy said...

Love this post! Sorry it took me a bit, but I did it! I did it! Yay!