Monday 31 May 2010

If Only it Could Have Been, It Would Have Been





If only things could be as we think they should have been. If so, we could be celebrating Sheldon's birthday with him today as he would be turning 26 years old today. We were so lucky to have been graced with him in our lives. You could only imagine his great laugh that made us laugh; his quick wit that always got us going and that secretly impressed the hell out of us. His charm and super sweetness made him all the more lovable. He was always a good listener, always without judgement. Sheldon had amazing strength in his last days that he supported those of us around him that couldn't grasp losing him. He told us he was ok and that he accepted his fate.


In honour of Sheldon, we gathered at his gravesite and toasted this wonderful person who is so deeply missed in our lives.
Cheers to you Sheldon. Thank you for all the love and laughter you brought us. Thank you for inspiring us and giving us the strength and courage to live our lives to the fullest.
As my Mom would say, 'Thank you for the pleasure Sheldon. We love you oh so much.'
(I am hoping she already told you that today : )

31 comments:

Baino said...

It doesn't seem like yesterday does it? Such a tragic thing you know. Those times must have been impossible for you lot but you managed through them somehow. Much love to you and yours, and cheers indeed to Sheldon and your Mum.

Anonymous said...

Oh I remember so well when your mom, Renee Blogged about Sheldon and my heart broke over and over and over again. His strength was amazing... I wish I could be so strong... I take his ability to accept life into my own... and then I remember during this time your grandma was sick in the hospital and Jacqui Sheldon's mom so very very sick... and then there was Renee always strong always there supporting others....

This all seems like a dream to me and that I'll wake up and there they all will be whole and strong..

I am toasting Sheldon today and I'm sure he, Renee, grandma and grandpa are smiling and toasting you all~

Much love ~Pattee

Unknown said...

your Sheldon just radiates,

blessings on this day and in all those to come.

Karin Bartimole said...

Blessings to Sheldon and all who have loved him, on the day of his birth. cheers to you all.
I was thinking about Renee so strongly today, her stories of your family, and the deep love she shared... missing her and sending love. Karin

Lori ann said...

Surely she did.

I'm so sorry for your loss, there is no other thing to say. Bless your hearts, Sheldons too.
lori

Elizabeth said...

I think I speak for many of us in the blogger world who believe we got to know just a bit the Sheldon that you knew and love. We grew to love him through the fine, beautiful words of your mother, Renee. What a source of inspiration your entire family is -- may your sorrows be lifted in sweet memories --

Chrisy said...

Yes here's to Sheldon. It was a privilege to get to know him a little through this blog. And my love to you dear girl. Thank you for sharing with us. I'm sending you a gentle brush of the cheek across the miles.

turquoise cro said...

((((((Sheldon))))))

The Strawberry Mallard said...

Without a doubt, they had a wonderful day together on the other side of Heaven!
Hugs to you hon,
Nancy

Gberger said...

Oh, what a reunion that must have been, between your mom and Sheldon! The joy, the love, the smiling hearts greeting one another! That makes me happy.
I am sorry that you had to celebrate his birthday without his bodily presence, but I am so thankful that you gathered to celebrate his life. What a gift.

yoborobo said...

This picture of Sheldon is beautiful. I can see that twinkle in his eye, and the kindness in his smile. What a lovely young man. I am so sorry you have lost him, and so very young. My love to you, and your Aunt Jacquie and her family. xoxo Pam

studio lolo said...

What a beautiful post for a beautiful young man who left before his time.
It's amazing the legacy he did leave behind at his young age.

Thank you, Angelique. I love this ongoing connection with you, Renee and the rest of the family.

Love and blessings,
Lolo♥

Unknown said...

Sheldon is my hero and always will be. He, Renee, your grandparents are all sitting on that park bench together toasting back to the wonderful lives that will go on with them still in their life.

xoxoxoxxo

Robin said...

Angelique, although your pain of losing Sheldon at such a young age is immense,you must be so proud of him.... his courage to stay strong and brave around his family, to give support to everyone who was also suffering (Jacqui, your Grandmum and - Renee), to accept his fate with such grace.

Offering my toast in his honour a day late.... but hearfelt nonetheless.

Hugs to you, Wahid, Jacqi, the children,

♥ Love from Robin ♥

Annie said...

I was struck by pattee's comment. I do believe this is a dream and that we will all wake from it and that there is no death. Sheldon is amazing. Blessings to all of you.
xoxo

Marie S said...

Happy Birthday Sheldon.
Love, hugs, and strength to all of you.
Blessings all over you all.

Debra Kay said...

I planted a red bud tree in my yard to remind me of those I miss.

Kelly Lish said...

That was a wonderful post... Love to you!

Jos said...

Oh Angelique isn't that so true? If only things could be as we think they should have been. I think that a lot of the time too.

I guess that inner strength is something that runs through your whole family. Certainly Renee, Sheldon, Jacquie and you appear to have it in spades. It seems that way to me anway, even though I know that some days you must feel completely swamped with grief ... still you find the time and the strength to come here. To share with us

Thank you. And cheers to Sheldon! xx Jos

Deborah said...

Cheers Sheldon. You still are an inspiration to all of us, the way you lived, the way you accepted The Will of God, and especially the description of how you took off your oxygen mask, stretched your arms above your head and exhaled your spirit into eternity. I do believe, I do believe.

Love to all the family. Constantly lifting you all in prayer. Love, Deb

Anonymous said...

I remember when Renee often wrote about Sheldon, and I could tell from her words that she loved him very much.

It often seemed that if there were any more pain thrown at her or her family, she would just burst.

They're both at peace now, and that's comfort in itself.

GlorV1 said...

HAPPY LATE BIRTHDAY to SHELDON.

Manon said...

Cheers to Sheldon and Renee! xoxo

Unknown said...

we have been thinking about you and your family these past months...I am toasting to Sheldon too...such a tragedy when we lose the people we love and the ones that made the world a better place....

Sending you all hugs....

Diana

Bobbi Ann said...

Hi Angelique, I wanted to say, Happy Birthday and many Blessings to Sheldon and your entire family!
Hugs and much love...
Bobbi

jacquie said...

angelique, thank-you for this beautiful post for sheldon's birthday....it is a gift in itself to me and you mean the world to me.

a couple of days before sheldon's birthday, i made a conscious choice to celebrate his life rather than morn his death....and that is what i did, it was sureal but turned out to be quite a heartfelt good night spent with family and at least 10 or so of sheldon's friends.

i had some sort of inner peace knowing that sheldon was safe and happy with your mom, as she was like a 2nd mom to sheldon, and to also be with grandma and grandpa.

thank-you everyone for your heartfelt words, sorry i am late in my thanks but i just finished chemo the day before sheldon's bday

cheers to you sheldon, happy 26th birthday
together strong....love mom & dad

BT said...

Gosh, doesn't time fly? I remember reading all about Sheldon and his battle which he lost. Such a young man too. It was a lovely idea to raise a toast to him at his graveside.

Sandy said...

Hugs!!!

Know that one of my greatest pleasures in creating objects in clay was making Hector the Mexican Cancer Killing Bastard. I'm only sorry that Hector wasn't strong enough to help Sheldon overcome the disease. But I will always treasure the joy that Sheldon gave me by allowing me to create Hector. His memory will live in my heart for a long time to come.

http://blog.simple-inspirations.com/2009/07/hector-mexican-cancer-killing-bastard.html

Sydney said...

Ah but I do think that the fact that they got what time they did with her made it's invaluable deposit in them, like the ripple effect of dropping a pebble in the water. I believe what she was able to give to them will carry on in subtle ways perhaps, but lasting ones... and don't forget that the most potent influence of your mom comes to them every day, through -- YOU. Your mom had an impact on you all your life and continues to do so. How can that not have shaped greatly who you are, and be spilling forth into them. Isn't that an amazing and wonderful thing to think about.


how like your mom to have already ordered the present and games...

Sydney said...

Just sending love to you all. I am so glad you continue to have us in your life.

Laura said...

I haven't been by in a while...what a lovely remembering of your dear one.