There are too few times in this life when we get to stand up and publicly share what a gift someone’s life has been to us. Sadly, all too often we only hear speeches like that at funerals, when the person being talked about doesn’t get to hear how they‘ve impacted others. So bear with me as I take this opportunity to share with you a little bit about this beautiful bride...my sister, Shannon Mary.
I was an only child for 4 years...until Shannon came along. Little did I know that she was only the first of 5 additional sisters who’d be joining our family. When Shannon was born I received my very first Barbie doll as my “congratulations on being a big sister!” gift. I’ve always credited Shannon with finally getting my Barbie collecting off to a festive start! Shannon was my first sister in this world, and I think back on the two years that we had alone, the only Glynn girls...and it is like a hazy dream. We shared a bedroom in our first home...the married student housing at Ohio State University. Her crib was next to my bed, and I remember that she’d wake me in the morning with her baby gurgles. You might say she was my first sister, and my first alarm clock!
Maura came along two years later...and then Meg with Erin close on her heals...and finally Michaela. Shannon, Maura and I were the Big Girls...and I realized only a few short years ago that in my mind I still called the three of us...the Big Girls, and the others the Younger Girls. When I think back on our childhood, I just remember what a wonderful playmate Shannon was. She was always up for playing school in the classroom we’d created in the basement...and she’d be the principal, Sister Mary...and I’d send Maura (and any neighborhood children we could rope into our school) to the “office” for disciplinary chats with Sister. Shannon was always a lead in the “shows” we put on for our parents...whether she was Joseph in the nativity, or one of three Santa's in a puppet show...and we’d act out scenes from all our favorite musicals (we had no TV, what would YOU do?). Shan would let Maura or I sing all the female parts while she tackled the male parts. The soundtracks to Oklahoma, and the Sound of Music were our favorites...and we swooned over Mom’s coveted Greatest Hits double album Barry Manilow. If we weren’t in the basement playing dress up while listening to Bread and soaking up their harmony...we were singing When Irish Eyes are Smiling, You Are My Sunshine, and various tv. commercials, while Shan, Maura and I tackled the large quantity of dirty dinner dishes...oh...and the thing that entertained us maybe the most during our dish washing sessions...we’d sing songs in the weirdest, most ugly voices that we could...creating all sorts of horribly dissonant and off-key harmonies...and then we’d complement each other on the most horrific parts...until Mom would get quite upset and tell us to stop it, and in so many words...“what if you mess up your developing musical ears and end up singing like that!” There’s no way to separate the memories of our childhood from the music in our life.
Shannon was my roommate for the better part of 18 years...and let me tell you, despite the years of her potty training when we shared a double bed...need I say more...they were really wonderful! We still laugh over our memories of the games we’d make up, and the silliness we’d share, as she lay in the top bunk and I in the bottom...and Mom calling up the stairs, “Girls, that‘s ENOUGH!“ inducing further hysterics that we’d try to muffle with our pillows. One of the things we loved to play as children was Mass... I’d be the priest, Maura was the alter server, and Shannon would be our Music Minster...playing and cantering all the parts of the mass on the piano, having learned them by ear... (and I’m talking she was a little kid!). When Shan was in kindergarten it became apparent that her singing and playing the piano were special talents. In many ways she provided a continual soundtrack for our family as we grew over the years...our soundtrack included such rousing hits as the jingle from a Cheerios commercial...aptly entitled, “the unsinkable taste of cheerios...” as well as her collaboration with our Pop on “There’s a hole in the bicycle tire”...and the spontaneous Birthday jam that is alive and well today, that was birthed at one of our family birthday parties. Shannon’s musical talent not only entertained us, but she also frequently served as inspiration and musical leader to our joined creative efforts as sisters as we began to get more serious about singing together.
When I was in high school Shannon started writing and singing songs about her faith. I remember how blown away I was the first time she played me a song she’d written about the Eucharist. I knew that not only was there something profound happening in her, and a wisdom far beyond her years...but it affected my faith journey immensely. There are people in this life who are just special. They bring a light with them wherever they go. They touch people, they leave an impact...I’ve always seen that light in Shannon, and it’s the light of Christ shining out of her. Whenever we could get her to play and sing one of her songs for someone...they would just listen in awe. Shannon’s music affected people, really touched them. She still has that affect on us.
During one of Shannon’s last years in high school, I found out that this huge Christian music festival in P.A. was hosting a singer/songwriter competition during their weekend long festival. I couldn’t go to the festival myself...but Mom wanted to go with Shannon and Maura and a few friends of theirs. Unbeknownst to Shannon, I registered her for the songwriting competition. The weekend was planned, and off to the festival they went. This may seem like a sneaky thing to do...but it’s like this. Although incredibly talented, Shannon was not self-promoting. She would never have agreed to this if she had time to think about it ahead of time. So as per instructions, Mom filled her in, with just enough time for her to get over to the big tent and audition her song...along with people of all ages and musical backgrounds, who’d come from all parts of the country to compete. It did not come as a surprise to anyone who knew Shannon and her music...to find out that she won . She performed her gorgeous song on the main stage to a crowd of 10,000 people. Talk about proud!
Shannon is a person of deep thoughts, strong convictions, and a heart full of tenderness and compassion for people and animals. When she was a child animals would just flock to her...we’d refer to her as a St. Francis. Nothing has changed in that area. She’s also a really talented artist...her floral arrangements, and the beautiful and elegant home she’s created are testament to that. Now I could go on and on about her triumphs in theatre during her high school and young adult years, how her ability to wrap her voice around a jazz number is extraordinary...and about the resolve and courage it takes for her to overcome her performance anxiety. But I’m sure she’s squirming in her seat enough at this point. Despite the fact that Shannon’s talents have often led her into the spot light, that’s not a place she’s comfortable living in. There is no tougher critic of Shannon than Shannon.
I know some of these memories sound a little too idyllic...we weren’t the sugary sweet fictitious Brady Bunch.. We Glynn girls would fight like normal siblings. But it was one thing to squabble with one another...but if anyone hurt one of us...Shannon would be so protective. For anyone who’s been blessed by her friendship, you’ve probably experienced what a fierce ally she is, and how protective she is of those she loves. I have some precious memories from my teen and young adult years, of being held by my little sister while I cried from a broken heart. And she’s so empathetic that sometimes she’d cry with me. She would sit on the floor of our bedroom and talk it all out with me, rail against my offender, and offer a kind of nurturing support that only she could give.
Early on Shannon had such a charisma that everyone just flocked to her. I think it’s safe to say that even today...to know Shannon is to love Shannon. In junior high I think her protective nurturing was somewhat responsible for her being nicknamed Rambo...well, and her uncanny impersonation of Sylvester Stalone... and the inexplicable penchant for wearing cammo might have had something to do with it too! No memories of Shannon would be complete if I failed to at least give a nod to the fact that she is one of the funniest, most witty, most clever people I’ve ever met. She has caused more gut busting hysterics in our family, and with friends during these 30+ yrs., than most people elicit in a life time. One of my favorite really funny memories of Shan is from her Rambo era. We’d been downtown to see the Karate Kid...and you know, we came home very pumped. While waiting to be called in for dinner, and of course reenacting the movie in the driveway...Shannon did a karate kick of such magnitude that she put a hole in the side of the garage. We were so shocked we couldn‘t stop laughing...and Yeah...Mom was not amused.
Just a word of caution to the Withers boys from the Glynn girls...just in case you haven‘t already figured this out...Shannon is freakishly strong. And we’re pretty confident She Can Take You.
All joking aside...don’t be fooled by the sometimes tough tomboy persona that Shan likes to present...if you saw her in her vintage Jackie O. inspired suit, or with her curls smoothed while she channels her inner Ella Fitzgerald in song...you’d agree with me when I say, “Holy cow, what a woman!”
I’m sure any big sisters in this room will agree that watching younger sisters grow up can be a little harrowing at times. I’ve always been proud of what amazing, talented, unique, charismatic, faith-filled, truly special women each of my sisters are. Waiting for guys who are good enough for these precious sisters of mine...oh my. It’s a tall order, and I’m here to tell you that MOST don’t make the cut. When Ian came into the picture, I watched and listened...and took in his charisma and charm with my typical caution. After getting to know Ian...watching how well he loves my sister...how loyal and generous he is...how hard he works...how much he loves his family...how very smart and funny and tender hearted he is...I can tell you that there are depths there far beyond his external buff bravado. Ian is a truly good man, and he has found a truly good woman and partner in Shannon.
I was talking with Shannon one night about the beautiful, frustrating, heartbreaking, miraculous experience that marriage can be...and she quietly responded that whatever the future holds...she wants to walk this journey of life with Ian. That’s all I needed to hear.
It takes a special, and secure guy to be able to handle the energy of our very female clan...the collective force that is the SISTERS...and I know we Glynn girls conquer that the Glynn men are a truly amazing bunch...starting with our Pop, and then our brother Greg, my husband Matthew, Maura’s husband, our brother Seth, Erin’s husband, our brother Lou...and now Shannon’s husband, our brother Ian.
I’d like to offer a Celtic poem in toast to this new force of nature...the Glynn-Witters’...so, if all of you would raise your glasses with me...
“God be with thee in every pass,
Jesus be with thee on every hill,
Spirit be with thee on every stream...
Headland and ridge and Lawn;
Each sea and land, each moor and meadow,
Each lying down, each rising up,
In the trough of the waves, on the crest of the billows,
Each step of the journey thou goest.”
Cheers!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Oh, my God, I feel like I was there with you and I was crying! (and I don't think I have ever even met Shannon) What a wonderful toast and a wonderful homage to sisters.
You are a doll, Laurice. It's that tender heart of yours...it'll get you every time! Thank you, it was incredible to sit down and write, you know? It reminded me of how blessed we are to have one another...my sisters are some of the jewels in my crown.
Post a Comment