Sunday, June 8, 2008

Shaun :) - xo xo

SHAUN LUNT
The last picture of Shaun - sent from his iPhone earlier in the week with this little note:
"Just landed on the knik river, sitting in my chair. Awesome! (close to anchorage, so have a signal for my iPhone)". He is happy.


Dear friends and family,

Friday evening, my love - Shaun, returned to the Father who gave him life. He was doing what he loved, flying his Super Cub and hopping across beaches near Bethel, Alaska. He saw a cool whale skeleton on the beach and circled around to get a picture. He is an amazing and very skilled pilot. We're not sure exactly what happened, but it appears that he may have been trying to frame a great picture with one hand and flying with the other while slowly circling the skeleton. His plane stalled only 100' from the beach with no room to recover and spiraled down at about 70 mph. I pray that he didn't hurt. Although the pain is immense for his dear friend and fellow pilot Loni Habersetzer, who watched this happen, I am so deeply grateful that someone was flying along side him and he wasn't alone.

He is a tremendous spirit. It is a privilege to know him, and an even greater privilege to love him. He loves his Savior with a depth and passion I've never seen. He walks with God. He lived his life as an absolute testimony of his faith. Shaun paid the price to know God - in the everyday decisions that he made - he sacrified to know God. He so badly wanted his life to mean something - to make a difference. Shaun loves with the same depth and passion. He would give the world if it would bring a small smile to those he loves. He couldn't go more than a few days without calling his family. He needed their connection - and they needed his. His eyes would turn soft and he would smile whenever he spoke of them. They lived inside his heart. Shaun lifts those who know him. He reminded me who I was - and would in a way, miraculous and solely his own, lift me to a higher place and remind me that I always belonged there.

From our pictures you know that Shaun was adventurous and funny and silly - but the real heart of Shaun was brimming with love to be shared. He was always occupied with whether he was serving God enough. He was constantly concerned for the wellbeing of his family and loved ones. His depth over-powers me... I am continually in awe of who he is. I don't have the words to say. It seems like no amount of time would be long enough with him. The loss is so deeply acute.

Thank you to all of you for your love and prayers - they are so welcome and so appreciated. Please continue to pray for Shaun's family. They are so deeply overwhelmed with grief.

Words are inadequate to tell about Shaun - He is so rich and deep and indescribable. Along with all who have had the blessing of Shaun - I ache for the day when I can be with him again. He was an angel among men - EVERYONE who knows him could see that. I have beautiful memories... it has been a blessing to share some of his life with him. I am better for having loved him - that is all he would have wanted.

Nothing can express his legacy and nothing can express my grief at his loss.
I love you Shaun, until heaven...
Forever yours,
Heid

12 comments:

Tiffany said...

Like you said, Words just cannot express. You are in my constant prayers. I know your relationship with Shaun was more special than anyone can ever know. I'm so sorry. I love you.

Merx said...

Wow Heidi... i've never read anything written about someone else so powerful and obviously out of deep love. I am so sorry to hear about this. What a tragic nightmare. I will pray for you tonight.

Julie Mulcock said...

Heidi: On Thursday of last week I was sitting at work and just randomly thought about how you might be doing. So I did a "google" search to find out how I could contact you and I found your blog. I had a great time reading about your adventures and was tickled to see your cute guy and how beautiful you looked. It made me really happy. What uncanny timing. My heart hurts for you! What I've seen in you is an amazing, beautiful, capable, light-filled daughter of God. Shaun surely saw that too. I will pray for you and want you know you have been in my thoughts and will continue to be. - Julie Mulcock

Connie said...

Heidi - my heart is broken for you. This just doesn't seem real. I can't stop crying. It was one shining moment in Camelot for you. You know my prayers and love are with you. God bless you and keep you through yet another agonizing trial in your life.
Love you, Mother Barlow

Grandma B said...

Heidi,
I check your blog every once in awhile from Tiffany's. I had just checked it Saturday and was so happy for the happiness that you and Shaun had found in each other. It was obvious how in love you two were. I couldn't believe it when I heard about Shaun's accident. I am so very sorry for your loss and his life being cut so short. He seemed like such an amazing man. You are in my and Don's thoughts and prayers. Take care, Heidi.
Love, Janet and Don Ballard

Skowronek said...

So, so sorry Heid. Nicole and I watched your lives grow together (vicariously through your blogs) and saw how happy you two were together. I hope you find peace and solace amongst all your family and friends who love you and think the world of you.

Kinsey Pistorius said...

Heidi, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Shaun. It brings great sadness to my heart to know you have lost someone you so deeply love and care for. Know that you have family and friends thinking of you, praying for you and wishing you comfort at this time.

skbkmjfamily said...

Heidi-
I don't know if you remember me from High School. Our paths crossed again when a friend linked to Tiffany Barlow, I just happened to read hers, than see your name and hoped it might be you. And it was. It has been many years since I have seen you, but I am grateful that this is the day that I came to read your blog. You are right from the pictures I see that you have had a very wonderful, amazing life. I always wandered what happened to the girl who knew that she would be a PH.D. You are still gorgeous, and my heart hurts for you at this time.I hope that you he is able to bring you peace and love even though he is no longer here on this earth. You will be in my prayers. Katie Watson Bowers (shad_katie@yahoo.com)

Unknown said...

Heidi - We've never met, but we have both had the honor to have an amazing friend in common. Shaun and I have been friends for the past 14 years. I am so happy that he had you. Will you be at the celebration? I would love to meet you. You are in my thoughts and prayers. angie

Camille said...

Heidi,

I read about what happened on Tiff's blog. I'm so sad to hear about this horrible tragedy. I honestly don't know what to say other than I'm so sorry you have to face such a hard trial. You are an amazing person with so much going for you, I thought this post about Shaun shows so much maturity and a perfect attitude. I can't imagine how hard it must be, but I'm positive you will make it through, you are strong and have an incredible drive. You will be in my prayers. Take care.
Camille

Kelly Hoffman said...

Heidi, I was going through "Linked In" connections, saw your name and followed it to see what you are up to. Don't know if you remember me from BYU Grad school, but reading about your recent loss made me just want to say hello. I admire the spirit present in every word of your blog on your love for Shaun. I admire your strength, testimony, and powerful spirit. Shaun is lucky to have you in his life.
wishing you peace,
Kelly Hoffman (BYU MFT Program 2006, RMYL 2004)

Kelly Hoffman said...
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Shaun Lunt 1973-2008