Shannon Marie Wallace 1969-1976

I watched a movie last night about a man (Brad...can't remember his last name) with Tourette's Syndrome. It was a beautiful story of his life's journey and how he overcame all odds to become Teacher of the Year. This post isn't about the actual movie, as good as it was, but about a scene from the movie that completely caught me off-guard. A little girl named Heather died from cancer in the movie. She was one of this teacher's second grade students and a favorite of his. After her death Brad goes to her funeral. He doesn't want to go in for fear of being disruptive during the funeral due to his Tourette's tics. The lovely mother comes outside in search of him and says "Please don't leave without saying goodbye (to Heather)." She has such a gentle smile on her face and coaxes this special man into the church where he sits down next to her and the funeral begins. That's the entire scene. It doesn't show the little girl in the casket, any part of the funeral, no distraught people, etc. I'm sure you're wondering where I'm going with this. I started crying silently but uncontrollably. I cried for about 4 hours and had a hard night sleeping.

When I was little girl in first grade there was a girl in my class named Shannon Wallace. She was very pretty with long, straight, honey-blond hair. Everyone liked her. I didn't really "hang around" with her all that much as I was kind of shy, but I admired her. One day we were all on the playground. Shannon was standing at the top of the slide and somehow, some way she FELL OFF and landed on her head. You know how the slides were at the parks/playgrounds in the 70s. Very tall, rickety, metallic and UNSAFE. Some parks still have them (the one by my church does) and I can barely stand to watch children climb slides like these. Anyway, Shannon GOT UP. She was bleeding (I think from her nose) but let kids walk her across the street and into the nurses' office. I remember just watching her walk by and wanting to be one of the kids helping her. She was taken to the hospital for observation. It had to have been the next day or two that she returned to school. I was so relieved. However, that day there were races being run at recess after lunch. Shannon chose to run a race. During the race, she was winning, so a little boy on the sidelines tripped her on purpose so she wouldn't beat his friend. She hit her head again. I remember an ambulance coming and taking Shannon away. A day or two later (maybe it was more) I remember waking up to spoons clinking on cereal bowls as my brother and sisters all ate to get ready for school. I didn't know why my mom hadn't woken me up. What I didn't know was that she had just read the paper and found Shannon's obituary. When I came out for breakfast I either noticed the paper or she told me she read the paper to find out about Shannon. Then she shook her head (she was probably trying not to cry). I knew that Shannon was dead. I remember that moment like it was yesterday. I ran to my room sobbing.

What struck me so hard last night watching that scene was the mother's smile to Brad. It reminded me of going to Shannon's wake with my mom. I am so thankful that she took me, however the memories can be rough. Shannon was in the casket with her hair so perfect and straight. She had a pretty, long, pink or peach dress on and she was holding a stuffed monkey in her arms. My saddest memory, however, is when I shook her mom's hand. Her mom bent down a little, smiled with tears in her eyes, and said "Thank you so much for coming." I don't even know if I responded to her. It was most overwhelming for a seven year old. Last night I cried for that mother. I cried that I couldn't DO anything for her. I wish I had hugged her instead of just shaking her hand. I remember feeling that it wasn't fair that MY mom still had ME but she didn't have Shannon anymore. Both parents were just so calm. I didn't understand why. I hope they had a strong faith in the Lord and knew that "All things work together for good to them that love the Lord, for those who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28. I pray that they had that peace.

I found Shannon's death certificate online last night and ordered it. I want to try to find Shannon's mom and dad and write to them. I just want to tell them that I remember that day very clearly, and I wish I could've done more to ease their pain. I want them to know that I remember their daughter and think of her once and a while. I want to make sure they know Jesus as their Savior so they will be with Shannon again. I guess I just want them to know that I care.

Shannon would've been 40 years old this coming February 18th.