October 7, 2014
Another year... time moves so quickly. In the next few weeks, I will be updating. It's long overdue. So much changes, while so much stays the same as our journey with love and loss continues. What I know for certain, is that we find our way, together, and hearing from you lifts my spirit and reminds me that I am never alone, and neither are you.
Jan
MyAngelShannon@aol.com.
January 21, 2014
I have heard from so many of you, asking if we are still making Shannon's bookmarks and the answer is "YES".
I didn't realize that OWN was playing the show on Gratitude again until I started getting emails... the first ones coming the day after Shannon's Dad suffered a heart attack. He is doing great but I was so afraid. Your kindnesses were reminders that we are never alone, even when it feels that way, and it made all the difference. Thank you.
If you have found your way to this page and are interested in Shannon's bookmarks just drop me a note
MyAngelShannon@aol.com.
.
With so much gratitude and our best wishes for a new year filled with blessings.
Jan
Bookmark Therapy
In 1997 my daughter, Shannon, and I started Gratitude Journals. Oprah guaranteed it would change our lives. Little did she know.
"Thank you for the moon last night"
"Thank you for this book"
"Thank you for fat that melts away"
"Thank you for cracking backs"
"Thank you for the change a fresh coat of paint brings"
Nine months later in a May thunderstorm, Shannon collided with a tree and returned to Heaven.
She had just turned twenty three. Shannon was wise and wonderful and loved without condition or measure.
Tucked in her bag, we found her journal and it became our guidebook. Nothing can prepare you for a
loss of this magnitude. No one can show you the way. You follow your heart, and if you're blessed,
an Angel, will guide you.
Over the last ten years, we have created and shared bookmarks made with Shannon's artwork and photos
and entries from her Journal. In April of 2000, Shannon was featured in the Remembering Her Spirit
segment of the Oprah Winfrey Show. We received thousands of e mails and letters from individuals
who had been touched by Shannon's story and wanted to know how to request a bookmark.
We stopped counting at 200,000 but Shannon's bookmarks circle the globe and each time we
hear from a friend who is remembering with us, we know that Shannon's wish, " I don't want just any job,
I want a job that makes a difference..." continues to come true.
This year I retired and I hope to complete a book that was started ten years ago. I would love to include
stories of how the bookmarks have touched your life. Please feel free to e mail or write. I would love to hear from you.
Without Shannon's light, I would have never found my way. Without her joy in living, there would have been no journal,
without her bookmarks, I could not have found you.
"Thank you for friends we know only by heart"
"Thank you for the ever amazing courage love offers"
"Thank you for a stranger's smile"
"Thank you for each new morning"
"Thank you Thank you Thank you for my precious Shannon"
Shannon's Last Entry
April 30, 1998
- Thank you for a productive week
- Thank you for McD's
- Thank you for cute houses
- Thank you for the smell of fresh cut grass
- Thank you for time with just me and the "mules"
"First thing, I'm now 23. I don't feel older, but people keep reminding me of my age
and the things I need to do to live up to it. Things are back to normal with Gram and
I spent this last week of April with her as her paid handy man...as much a blessing to
her as it is to me 'cause I need the 'mula'. I quit Weight Watchers 'cause
I was gaining weight, but Mom seems to be doing well, hope she keeps it up.
I'm thankful for the life I have, nothing I want that I can't obtain,
wonderful family and friends, and lucky enough to take my time finding a job.
Of course I know it's time to do so. Everyone seems to be doing well right now
and for that I am thankful."
S.A.B.
Our Journey Continues
Whether you have experienced a loss... or are simply looking for meaning, we are
here to offer an open heart and hand. We've learned much in the
last ten years and yet we still have moments that bring us to our knees.
Shannon continues to watch over and guide us. Whenever life seems to challenge
or overwhelm us, we are blessed by our Angel's Whispers, and we willingly share
them with you.
We would love to hear from you.
Music by Beth Nielsen Chapman
"There's A Light"
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