~Heavens-Door.com~

When I come to the end of my journey,
And I travel my last weary mile,
Just forget if you can, that I ever frowned,
And remember only the smile.

Forget unkind words I have spoken,
Remember good I have done,
Forget that I have ever had heartache,
And remember I've had loads of fun.

Forget that I've stumbled and blundered,
And sometimes fell by the way,
Remember I have fought some hard battles,
And won, ere the close of the day.

Then forget to grieve for my going,
I would not have you sad for a day,
But in summer just gather some flowers,
And remember the place where I lay

And come in the shade of the evening,
When the sun paints the sky in the west,
Stand fore a few moments beside me,
And remember only the best.
Author ~Mrs. Lyman Hancock~

Shawn Michael Lightner born on November 20, 1973 was sadly taken from all those who love him on May 19, 2003 as the result of an automobile accident.

He is the beloved son of Timothy and Terry Lightner, big brother of Tamara Lynn Lightner and the greatest uncle ever to Ciera Angelique Lightner all from Moundsville, WV.

At the time of the accident he was employed by GMS at Enlow Fork Coal Mine in PA, a job in which he had worked at for only 2 months and enjoyed very much.

Shawn was 29 years old and 6 months and 1 day until he would have reached 30. He had yet to fully enjoy all that life had to offer. His dream was to have a child and experience the greatness of fatherhood. I don’t know whether to say it is unfortunate or fortunate that he did not have children. I believe it only allowed for one less broken heart that he did not have children. Not, only would a child hurt, but not having him around to watch them grow would have hurt as well. My brother was just so good with children and he loved them more than anything. He treated his niece like his own. I sometimes had to remind him that he was an uncle to her and not her father. I know if there is one person he is keeping the closest watch over, it is surly his niece.

Outside of his love for children was his love for sports and music. Shawn loved the Pittsburgh Steelers and did for as long as I can remember. He also liked baseball, basketball, boxing, wrestling and NASCAR Racing. His favorite baseball player was Eric Davis and his favorite team was the Cincinnati Reds. As far as music went there was nothing that he didn’t like to listen to. He loved it all. His all time favorite group was Guns N' Roses. He also liked Eminem, Ja Rule, Tupac and 50 Cent. No matter what type of music it was he played it loud, so loud that it would have your head spinning.

The other thing my brother admired were Ford Mustangs, a car that he would take along with him to his journey to Heaven. My mother had a 1991 Ford Mustang and my brother worshiped this car. His very first car was a 1982 Red Ford Mustang; this car still sits in a garage basically torn apart. He had a newly rebuilt engine that we all believe he was saving because he wanted to put it in my mom’s mustang.

When Shawn was a little kid he had a black and white Teddy Bear, which he named "Bubby". His Grandfather had always tried to get him to give it to him, but he never gave it up. Bubby is now around 27 years-old. We teased him because he still had it. A friend of mine even nicknamed him "Bubby", my daughter called him Uncle Bubby some times, funny though because he didn't seem to mind. A few days after the funeral we knew we had to find Bubby and we did. My Mother gave Bubby to my Grandfather, who had finally got him after all these years. He said, when he is called to Heaven he wants to be buried with Bubby so he can give him back to Shawn.

This photo was taken just 3 months prior to my brothers passing and is the last one we took. Me, my daughter and Shawn went out to measure the snow.

**Background Music by - 3 Doors Down ~When I'am Gone~**