A Celebration
Today we celebrated the life of Shaleen Johnson.
We woke up to a beautiful, sunshiny day—a day perfectly suited to celebrate the life of one who lived her life to the fullest and was a ray of sunshine to those she came into contact with. As we arrived at the church, we could not help but smile, for we knew we were at the right place. There were balloons everywhere: attached to the sign, the plants, the chairs, and various other places. A special spot was marked off in the parking lot for the motorcycles that would lead the way to the cemetery.
Upon entering the church, we received a memorial that had a picture of Shaleen on the front and John 14:1-4 beneath the picture. The picture had that beautiful smile and those sparkling eyes that were the true essence of Shaleen. Inside the memorial was a familiar yellow card—a card that was given to many by Shaleen during her life and would now be given to everyone that came to celebrate it. On the outside of the card: “I have something to tell you”; on the inside was a drawing of Jesus and “I Love You!!!”; on the back was a Salvation prayer. A note on the back of the memorial said that Shaleen herself had planned details of this celebration, right down to the balloons.
The group that gathered to celebrate Shaleen’s life was a very diverse group of people. It transcended the bounds of religion, race, wealth, prestige, and age. In the words of the pastor, everyone was there “from the Pentecostals to the Mennonites…from the Presbyterians to the Methodists.” It was clear that Shaleen was no respecter of persons. She loved everyone.
The service began with praise and worship songs, after which a message was given. The Message of Hope gave directions to Shaleen’s new Home; she wants everyone to plan to come, not to just visit, but to stay. An opportunity was given for anyone that desired to invite Jesus into his or her heart to do so.
After the prayer, a picture celebration of Shaleen was shown. It was an honor to have a group picture of Kris’s farewell party when she went to Kansas included in the lineup, an acknowledgment that we too were a part of her life. I’m sure that we were not alone in feeling honored by being included. Mom considered Shaleen one of her best friends, and I’d venture to say that there were a great number of people there today that would have said the very same thing.
Shaleen’s body was escorted from the building to the sounds of “Shout to the Lord,” an activity I’m sure she has been very involved in during the past week. Once outside, balloons were loaded into or attached to vehicles and motorcycles. We got into our vehicles, and the motorcycles, there must have been at least 100 of them, led the way out of the parking lot, including a police escort. It was so neat to pass by the intersections and see one or two of the motorcycles stopped to hold traffic.
We arrived in Franklin at what Shaleen called “God’s Acres” for her final “planting.” Balloons were handed out, and after a few final words, we released them. As we stood and watched the balloons ascend into the heavens, tears filled my eyes. Once a balloon was released, it was impossible to get it back, no matter how badly a person desired to have it back. Similarly, no matter how badly we, for selfish reasons, would like to have Shaleen back in our lives, it is impossible to have her back in this life, but knowing that she is with the One that she spent so much time praising makes it bearable. Not easy, but bearable.
There were so many things that we could all learn from Shaleen.
::Love:: Love unconditionally. Life can only be better when love is involved. Let people know that you care. Engage in Random Acts of Kindness.
::Live:: Live large. Be extraordinary. Pursue your dreams. When making choices, consider the “if only’s” and then choose accordingly.
::Rejoice:: There is a reason to rejoice…every day! Focus on the blessings that you have been given. Be optimistic. Always remember, “This is the day that the Lord has made” and then Rejoice and be glad in it.
::Pictures:: Take more pictures—lots of them. Forget the flaws and get in the picture. You never know when a picture and a memory is all you have left of someone.
We will all miss Shaleen. A balloon, a motorcycle, a yard sale, a saying, or any number of things that we each personally associated with her will trigger the memories. There are undoubtedly mementos floating around—in a drawer or in a pile of papers or maybe in a stack of pictures—which we’ll come across someday, and we will think of Shaleen. In those bittersweet moments, we will be thankful that we had the privilege of knowing her, and we’ll be inspired to do better, to encourage others more, and to share God’s love with everyone that we meet.
We woke up to a beautiful, sunshiny day—a day perfectly suited to celebrate the life of one who lived her life to the fullest and was a ray of sunshine to those she came into contact with. As we arrived at the church, we could not help but smile, for we knew we were at the right place. There were balloons everywhere: attached to the sign, the plants, the chairs, and various other places. A special spot was marked off in the parking lot for the motorcycles that would lead the way to the cemetery.
Upon entering the church, we received a memorial that had a picture of Shaleen on the front and John 14:1-4 beneath the picture. The picture had that beautiful smile and those sparkling eyes that were the true essence of Shaleen. Inside the memorial was a familiar yellow card—a card that was given to many by Shaleen during her life and would now be given to everyone that came to celebrate it. On the outside of the card: “I have something to tell you”; on the inside was a drawing of Jesus and “I Love You!!!”; on the back was a Salvation prayer. A note on the back of the memorial said that Shaleen herself had planned details of this celebration, right down to the balloons.
The group that gathered to celebrate Shaleen’s life was a very diverse group of people. It transcended the bounds of religion, race, wealth, prestige, and age. In the words of the pastor, everyone was there “from the Pentecostals to the Mennonites…from the Presbyterians to the Methodists.” It was clear that Shaleen was no respecter of persons. She loved everyone.
The service began with praise and worship songs, after which a message was given. The Message of Hope gave directions to Shaleen’s new Home; she wants everyone to plan to come, not to just visit, but to stay. An opportunity was given for anyone that desired to invite Jesus into his or her heart to do so.
After the prayer, a picture celebration of Shaleen was shown. It was an honor to have a group picture of Kris’s farewell party when she went to Kansas included in the lineup, an acknowledgment that we too were a part of her life. I’m sure that we were not alone in feeling honored by being included. Mom considered Shaleen one of her best friends, and I’d venture to say that there were a great number of people there today that would have said the very same thing.
Shaleen’s body was escorted from the building to the sounds of “Shout to the Lord,” an activity I’m sure she has been very involved in during the past week. Once outside, balloons were loaded into or attached to vehicles and motorcycles. We got into our vehicles, and the motorcycles, there must have been at least 100 of them, led the way out of the parking lot, including a police escort. It was so neat to pass by the intersections and see one or two of the motorcycles stopped to hold traffic.
We arrived in Franklin at what Shaleen called “God’s Acres” for her final “planting.” Balloons were handed out, and after a few final words, we released them. As we stood and watched the balloons ascend into the heavens, tears filled my eyes. Once a balloon was released, it was impossible to get it back, no matter how badly a person desired to have it back. Similarly, no matter how badly we, for selfish reasons, would like to have Shaleen back in our lives, it is impossible to have her back in this life, but knowing that she is with the One that she spent so much time praising makes it bearable. Not easy, but bearable.
There were so many things that we could all learn from Shaleen.
::Love:: Love unconditionally. Life can only be better when love is involved. Let people know that you care. Engage in Random Acts of Kindness.
::Live:: Live large. Be extraordinary. Pursue your dreams. When making choices, consider the “if only’s” and then choose accordingly.
::Rejoice:: There is a reason to rejoice…every day! Focus on the blessings that you have been given. Be optimistic. Always remember, “This is the day that the Lord has made” and then Rejoice and be glad in it.
::Pictures:: Take more pictures—lots of them. Forget the flaws and get in the picture. You never know when a picture and a memory is all you have left of someone.
We will all miss Shaleen. A balloon, a motorcycle, a yard sale, a saying, or any number of things that we each personally associated with her will trigger the memories. There are undoubtedly mementos floating around—in a drawer or in a pile of papers or maybe in a stack of pictures—which we’ll come across someday, and we will think of Shaleen. In those bittersweet moments, we will be thankful that we had the privilege of knowing her, and we’ll be inspired to do better, to encourage others more, and to share God’s love with everyone that we meet.
posted by Sharon @ 6:02 PM
4 comments
4 Comments:
Shaleen has left this world a better place, I know the influence she had on all of us has made us better people. Now, let's enjoy every day like it's our last, love much, laugh much, and take lots and lots of pictures.
I sat down to my computer to do a google search on my mom, Shaleen Johnson. One of the first accounts I saw was "A Celebration." Sharon, this is the most beatiful, perfect description of that day. I am so thankful you went home to capture it all in words. My mom would be speechless (if you can believe that!!!) and honored by what you wrote. I think she would have also been humbled... and yet full of joy. I can picture you reading it to her and seeing a brilliant smile coming across her face... and at the same time tears of happiness streaming down. She loved when people encouraged one another, and she would have been so encouraged. I cried and cried as I read what you wrote because, of course, I desperately miss my mom. I miss everything about her. Like you said about the balloon, once it is released, you can't get it back. As much as I wish she were here, I find comfort in knowing she would NOT come back to be with me on this earth if she had the choice. She is experiencing firsthand everything she trusted would be true with God. No, I know she is not dead, but ALIVE... and I know soon enough I will be with her again... this time, forever.
Darla, I’m glad that you took the time to let me know that you’ve been here and that you enjoyed it. We all really miss your parents. I’m sure that your mom would have been delighted to know that I’ve done some things since her death that I probably wouldn’t have done before. She really has made a difference in the lives of so many people, far more than I expect she ever imagined. I’m so grateful that I knew her.
I'm sure she would be proud of so many things... like the 60th surprise celebration I heard was thrown for your mom!! (I'd like to know how your mom reacted!) I'd like to keep in touch with you all. My email is darla.oglesby@wbko.com
I tried to email you, but it got sent back to me. What's your address? What about Kris' and the rest of the family?
Darla
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