08/14/2026
I have tried to find the right words to express how thankful I am for the love that has been shown to our family since Shelly passed, and the truth is, I don’t know that words are enough.
So many people took time out of their lives to support us and it has been overwhelming. Because there has been such an incredible outpouring of love, there is simply no way I can personally send a thank-you card to every person who has reached out or helped us. Please know that this post comes from my heart and directed to each and every one of you individually. Your kindness has not gone unnoticed, and our family is more grateful than I could ever adequately express.
To all that gave flowers, financial gifts, cards, messages, phone calls, prayers, and so many acts of kindness… I say thank you from the bottom of my heart.
To the ladies at our church and others, who organized a meal to make sure our family was fed every evening…. Thank you all.
One of the greatest gifts people gave us was sharing of their personal stories about Shelly. I heard over and over about her hugs, her smile, her kindness, her encouragement, and the way she made people feel special. I was blessed to live with such an amazing woman every day, but hearing how deeply she touched so many other lives has moved me beyond words. Shelly spent her life loving and serving others, and seeing that love returned to our family has been a beautiful reminder of the life she lived. I find myself wanting to live the rest of my life more like she did, to love people more deeply, serve more willingly, and make people feel valued.
I also want to give a very special thank you to HOPE ABOUNDS. This organization came alongside us during our visit at the hospital and helped me navigate so many of the things that needed to be done for Shelly during her illness and even after her passing. Their compassion, guidance, support, and willingness to help have meant more to me than I can express.
If you are looking for a meaningful organization to support, I hope you will consider making a donation to Hope Abounds. They are doing incredible work for families walking through cancer, and I can tell you personally how much of a difference they can make.
https://hopeabounds.org/
My heart is still broken, and I miss Shelly more than I can explain. But I do not grieve without hope. Scripture tells us about those who “sleep in Jesus” and promises that the day is coming when the Lord will call and His people will be together again. So while I long for Shelly every day, I also long for the day when I will see her again.
To everyone this message speaks to… You have helped carry us through some of the hardest days of our lives, and I will never forget it, and we love each of you!