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Shannon in the door to the Scottish Rites Temple,
TANGO August 2010 |
And I am not talking about the show with Tia and Tamera Mowry from the 90s. I'm talking about my SeaStar, my other half, my true bff, my ovary-twin. My third Greatest Love, my sister Shannon.
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Baby Shannon's 1st Birthday, 1985
Nathan, 2 yrs, Shannon, 1 yr, Erin, 5 yrs |
The
earliest memory I have of my sister Shannon is March or April of 1984, Corpus Christi, Texas. She
was less than 8 weeks old. I was 4 years old. Nathan was 15 months old. My
Grandma, Aunt and Uncle had come done to visit the new baby. And they were
taking me back to Iowa
with them. I was convinced that my parents didn’t want me anymore, that I was
too old. So they were giving me away. I remember little Nathan and Baby Shannon
sitting on the couch, or laying on it. I remember whispering to them that I
loved them, and that I was sorry that I had to go. That it wasn’t my choice. I
begged them not to forget me (how could they even remember me at that age?) And
I kissed them goodbye. I never once asked my parents what was going on. They
would have told me that I’d see them soon. Anyway, away we went. And I am
convinced that I made myself sick because sometime around Oklahoma I got a fever and a sore throat. By
the time we reached Iowa,
I was so sick they had to admit me to the hospital for 5 days. I had a
Peritonsular Abscess. My tonsils were swollen to the point of touching. They
were not removed, just IV antibiotics and fluids. So… that memory is a little
traumatizing. My parents came to Iowa
with the little kids in May. I was fine by then, and when they left, I went
home with them to Texas.
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Mayport Beach, FL, Navy housing 1986
Shannon -2, Erin - 6, Nathan -3 |
Shannon was the best baby doll on the planet. My
friend Laura and I used to dress her up and play with her. She used to do
anything we asked, which was a great game at 6 years old. She was my shadow,
and by the time she was six herself, she was my best playmate.
Around
middle school, I was tired of my shadow - In public anyway. When you’re 13, the
last thing you want is your 9 yr old sister hanging around. I don’t remember
much about that time, but knowing me, I’m petty sure I hurt her feelings. A
lot.
I
remember the day Shannon became my friend. And
to be honest, it was by force and guilt. Picture this: July 4th,
1996, it’s dark and warm, and we’re getting ready for the fireworks. My
girlfriends and I were finally 16 years old, and we planned to watch the
fireworks down on the river (the river is the Mississippi
River for those of you asking.) Shannon
was 12 years old and wanted to tag along. I put my foot down and said No. And
then Shannon cried. She cried to our mom and
Aunt Linda who both cornered me, and got mad at me. They talked to my friends
who all said it was ok that Shannon could come
(mainly because they just wanted to leave, and because she wasn’t their sister,
so they loved her.) So, Shannon came along.
And I sulked. I wouldn’t talk to her, and she didn’t seem to notice. Because
she was having a great time! She was being funny and friendly while I was
sitting there by myself. I let my feelings of anger ruin what was a great night
for everyone else around me.
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| Chin Chin - New York New York, Las Vegas, March 2011 |
After
that, Shannon fit seamlessly into my group of
friends. When she had time, she hung out with us, and it was never
uncomfortable. My bff Anousha’s sister Erika is a year younger than Shannon and they became good friends, making it easier to
hang out. And we had a pretty good time, especially my last year in high
school.
When
I went to college, I missed my family terribly. I was so homesick that I didn’t
think I would make it. And Shannon was on of
the reasons why. I missed her. More than I ever thought possible. I called home
a lot. My sorority helped me to stay in school (read previous post.) But Shannon spent her Spring Break in the dorms with me. In
fact, she spent almost part of every Spring Break with me during her years in
High School.
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Shannon's love - Jerry Orbach;
Carnegie Deli @ the Mirage, Las Vegas 2011 |
Shannon started her college career at Drake in 2002.
We overlapped for one semester and actually arranged to share one class. History.
And it was fun. Though Shannon wouldn’t agree with
me on that one. I moved to Sioux City
April 2, 2003. To be with Scott, and I thought it would be ok because Shannon was
transferring to the University of Iowa in Iowa
City. Those 18 months were some of the longest in my
life. I had to have surgery in April 2004. Shannon
came to be with me. She was just 20 years old. And she took care of me.
Shannon was my Maid of Honor at our wedding October
30, 2004. I couldn’t imagine anyone else standing right beside me. Scott knew
that by marrying me, he was also getting a sister. He just never knew how much.
Shannon’s engagement was broken in the spring
of 2005. Having her hurt so badly was one the lowest points of my life. Not
knowing how to fix it, how to make her feel better, it was almost more than I
could handle. But Shannon handled it. And if
she could be so graceful and classy, the least I could do was stand by her side
and hold her hand. Shannon moved to Des
Moines after she graduated college. And I’ve rarely
been happier. For the last six years, Shannon and I have spent Tuesdays and
Thursdays together when possible. As well as some weekends. Scott essentially
has two wives, and most of the time he is ok with that.
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| Auntie Shannon with newborn Weston, 8/1/08 |
Shannon has been with me through all the important
points of my life. Getting married, infertility, pregnancy – I found out I was
pregnant in Shannon’s bathroom! She was with
us when we found out Weston was a boy and not the girl I thought he was. She is
probably the only person who knows every emotion I am feeling and every thought
going through my head without thinking. I trust my life with her, but more
importantly, I trust my child with her. She is his Godmother after all.
Today
is Shannon’s 28th birthday. I can’t
think of a better day to pay tribute to one of the Greatest Loves of my life.
We joke that we are Ovary Twins, separated as eggs by 4 years and Nathan, while
waiting to be conceived. If you ask her, we look very little alike. If you ask
anyone else, we’re almost the same, though a lot of that is mannerisms and
speech. Shannon is one of the strongest,
kindest, and most intuitive people I have ever met. I don’t think I could
survive in a world where Shannon isn’t in it.
She’s my best friend; My other half. And even if I don’t say it, I am thankful
every single day to be in a world with my SeaStar!
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one of my favorite pictures...
Shannon & I at the Broadway Production of the Lion King
Mandalay Bay Resort, Las Vegas, March 2011 |
