Shawn the Brother
Wish you were here to help me about life and high school.  I miss your advice and your criticism :) Miss you always and forever -♥ Sheila              I miss my brother :(  -Shane

When he was about six years old, Shawn wanted to know how come he didn't have a sibling.  He decided he wanted a sister and kept asking mom what she'd have to do to get one!  He didn't relent.  In April 1991 Shawn's wish came true and then he decided he had made a mistake--he actually wanted a brother!  His sister was a demanding baby but he was a doting brother.  After being the center of attention for 8 years, he now had to share the stage and he wasn't going to make it easy for her.  She was tough enough to put up with Shawn's abuse and he came to respect that.  Shawn's teenage years drove them apart but as he matured more and more his relationship with his sister became closer.  He watched over her and became a role model for her.  He will always be her beacon of truth.   
The last thing he expected was for mom to have another one at 40!  His response to the news was "And you're not having an abortion?  Are you crazy?  Aren't you too old to have a baby?"  It was weird--he was in college, he had a sister that was officially a teenager and now a baby brother in diapers!  What's worse--his name would be Shane.  He proclaimed, "I hate it--it sounds too much like my name.  Choose another name."  In the short time they knew each other, the brothers bonded deeply.  After losing Shawn, 3.5 year old Shane asked for his brother often, wanting to know how come Shawn wasn't coming home for his birthday; they couldn't eat candy together; and they couldn't play soccer together anymore.  When told his brother was in heaven, he said "mommy Shawn needs his clothes in heaven--let's take his clothes for him!"  He has screamed, cried, and mourned Shawn's loss as the rest of us have.  So now, he kisses his brother's picture good night when he thinks about him. 

High school was a frustrating time for Shawn.  He couldn't wait to move on with real life; away from the suburbs.  He expressed these feelings in a journal he kept for English class over the last two years of high school.  These show how frustrated he felt in high school--a sentiment shared by many young people who don't seem to "fit in" and thus feel alienated.  Excerpts of his journal were later printed in the December edition of his high school newspaper.  With his family's love and support, his intellect, and an insatiable appetite for learning and bettering himself, he went on to accomplish what most parents dream of for their children.  Although his California Standardized Testing and Reporting scores clearly showed his interest (his score for Social Science was a 99), his passion for Sociology would not become clear to him until after his first year at the University.   

By the time Shawn turned 21, he knew he had found his path.  He knew the importance of "walking the talk" otherwise he'd be a hypocrite.  So he worked hard to learn as much as he could so he could speak knowledgeably about the subjects he was passionate about.  He learned to express himself eloquently but always in a respectful way.  His friend Kenny said: "I learned all about his academic achievements.  This of course, shouldn't surprise me given  Shawn's intellect, but he never mentioned any of his accomplishments when we saw each other.  That however, makes what he achieved all the more impressive.  He found his passion and there was no need to boast, which is just like Shawn.... I have done a lot of thinking about both Shawn and the void he left in this world.  Shawn was one of those rare friends who could have endless serious discussions on all important topics, but still have the ability to be light-hearted, to laugh and to make others laugh.  Knowing him has made me a better person and I will miss him deeply."  These sentiments have been expressed by countless others.   

Shawn was clearly becoming a man.  When it came to his own abilities, Shawn always saw the glass as half empty.  He had a wonderful college experience at the University of California, Santa Cruz and later at UC Santa Barbara.  He flourished, every day getting closer to the truth he was seeking and in the process he touched many lives and a lot of hearts. 

On June 11, 2005 Shawn graduated from the Sociology Department of the University of California, Santa Cruz with highest honors.  He was proud of himself and his family was even prouder.  All the hard work paid off.  He knew his life's mission now and understood that with perseverance he could make the difference he hoped to make.  Although he wouldn't admit it, his family and professors knew he would someday be a professor.  That path was too clear to miss!

Shawn the Friend
You will always be my hero...  -Morgan

There was a fun-loving aspect to Shawn that was great to watch.  It was pure and genuinely real.  The last time his family saw him was in December 2005.  Here he is having fun at his cousin's birthday! 

Shawn met a beautiful young lady who cared for him deeply.  Without her, he wouldn't have experienced the fullness of life and the complexities of relationships. We're thankful that she made his life complete and we got to see the glimmer she brought to his eyes. 

What would life be without friendship.  The last weekend of Shawn's life was a happy one spent with old college friends. They had the privilege his family was deprived of--to see him in the last few days of his life as the man he had become. 

He was loved by so many friends who miss him dearly.  Here's what some of them have said about him:

Shawn was extremely intelligent and he definitely had a positive influence on my academic experience in college.  His ability to think critically and his passion for sociology never ceased to amaze me...there were more than a few moments when I had trouble understanding what Shawn was talking about, but his enthusiasm and knowledge made it hard not to listen.  I consider myself very lucky to have known your son.  -Mark

...I learned all about his academic achievements...but he never mentioned any of his accomplishments when we saw each other.  That however, makes what he achieved all the more impressive.  He found his passion and there was no need to boast, which is like Shawn....  I have done a lot of thinking about both Shawn and the void he left in this world. Shawn was one of those rare friends who could have endless serious discussions on all important topics; but still have the ability to be light-hearted, to laugh and to make others laugh.  Knowing him has made me a better person and I will miss him deeply.  -Kenny

Everything I do in school is a result of what he introduced me to and we shared very close interests in our studies so pretty much everything I read for school reminds me of him and I wish I could share with him...  -Eric

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