Shawn's Letter to the Bender Family

Thanks Mom. I did send them an email which I will share with you, just being what little I can remember upon short reflection.

Dear Bender Family,

It was with a heavy heart that I received the news yesterday of Ryan’s passing. I had just been to the funeral of a great uncle the day before, who had lived a long life, but had died suddenly and quite unexpectedly. We do not know if our pilgrimage here on the earth is short or long, but I do trust in our loving Heavenly Father, and in the atonement and resurrection wrought by his Only Begotten.

I do hope that in these hectic and sad days ahead, that you will be able to find time to sit with family members and relate and record some of the good memories you have from his life. That is so important, to have those become part of the family histories of the parents and of each of the siblings. I trust that he has quickly made himself busy in the work of the Lord on the other side, so it is up to us to keep our hearts turned to a memory of those who have passed on, and to the legacy they leave for us.

I do not have much to contribute to a history, since he was older than me, but I did want to say what I remember about him. I do remember that I simply always saw him as being wise. Looking back on what I remember of him from my youth, I remember him as someone who liked to put in an extra effort in his school work and extra-curricular activities. I guess I could surmise by saying that I remember him as someone who was sober in his youth (even as Moroni). I also remember him being a good moderator/mediator when it seemed youthful neighborhood tensions ran high, when we would have little spats during games or what-not, which indicates that he was a caring person. That is how I remember him. I of course, can no longer remember what any of those spats were about, probably some interpretation of game rules or something that no longer matters, but I do recall him as being a well reasoned and caring person.

Sincerely,

Shawn Trauntvein

From Myrna:

Dad would like you to send your e-mail that you wrote to Benders to all the family. Actually, he wanted me to do it but, after the messages I received from the family about honoring privacy, I would rather you would do it than have me do it.

Anyway, we were both highly impressed and touched by what you wrote. I wish I had your gift for writing. This is beautiful. Love, M

Shawn wrote:

Oh, but Mom, you do. I only try to follow in your footsteps, and even though you are shorter than I am, I still have to lengthen my stride to do so.

From Myrna:

OK, you pushed my tear button for today. I LOVE YOU!