UPDATES

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Tomorrow marks the beginning of a new year and 19 months since you passed.  The redundancy of the words, how is this possible, this can not be real life, echo over and over.  Grief does not mark milestones. It ebbs and flows from anger to sadness, denial to glimpses of smiles every so often.  Heavy dark days, and weeks of sheer exhaustion.  Light jubilant days of accomplishments, and tears of pure gratefulness. 

There is no explaining to those who have not experienced profound grief or those who lack emotional depth.  There are no words that can express the emotions that wash over each day.  Life before, and the aftermath, is only a series of events and emotions, neutral, painful, and joyful.  It is a not-so-comical circus of unpredictability amongst efforts to stay present. 

All that to say, Sheridan LIVED!  To the bitter end, he pushed through every barrier.  No matter the anger, the sadness, the depression, the illness, he was a man of courage and strength.  He did not give up or give in.  He fought the good fight!  He is an example to be admired.  To those who had the opportunity to know his true heart, is to understand what is good, noble, and true.

As of just over a month ago, per some of Sheridan's final wishes, his ashes were laid to rest in Scotland: at the edge of the still waters below Castle Stalker, below where the waters run fierce through the Highlands of Scotland, at the base of the waterfall known as the tears of Glencoe, and at the foot of the mountain peaks of Peace, Hope, and Prosperity in Glencoe.  There you will find a piece of Sheridan basking in the beauty of creation.

It’s been just over 17 months since you left. The past few months were spent at the state fair, celebrating your second heavenly birthday, soaking in heavenly signs, visiting Fort Snelling, and building in your honor. The days are so long, but the years seem to be flying at warp speed.  You should be 25 years old and here!  Writing those words feels impossible, like a twisted nightmare that you cannot wake up from. 

So many things have been done to honor your life, yet it never feels like enough. Nothing can take away the sting that comes with each new morning, knowing you aren’t here. Nothing seems sufficient to pause the angst and desire to continue a journey in your honor. 

The only thing left to do is to carry on, move forward, set goals, and honor that which you lost. Whether on a public stage or quietly inside, your memory is celebrated daily. You will never be but a teardrop away. 

As the short fall days end, and the long winter months ensue, there is great anticipation for new beginnings. At center stage, starting the arduous task of making your story known. Then, Christmas will not be of material things this year, but a celebration of the bountiful blessings you shared. Great gratitude for every moment, and the amazing legacy you left behind. And with the New Year, new beginnings. A hopeful path to bring some healing and new joy. 

While reveling in the beautiful gift of your life, the fight in your name will continue. Some days may be meek and quiet, but the lion will roar, and your story will be told. As long as God is on the throne, justice will be yours someday. 

We are just over a week away from 15 months since Sheridan passed.  The pain is as fresh as the first day.

Tomorrow is the beginning of the Minnesota State Fair.  I am hopeful those who knew Sheridan will make the trek and find his bench, and anyone else touched by his story.  It will be on Underwood St, near Sweet Martha's on Machinery Hill this year.  For the tech-savvy,  Latitude: 44.986524 Longitude: -93.170659

The State Fair has always been a family tradition that Sheridan enjoyed.  I hope you can take a moment, say his name, share a memory, and honor the man whose life was cut far too short.

A year has passed. Typing those words makes my stomach turn. It’s actually been 13 months and 4 days, to be exact. Each passing milestone is more difficult. Yet, every intention is to grow, be better, and honor you. With each passing day, more plans and progress are made. Albeit slower than I would prefer, we are progressing, even with every hurdle thrown our way!

I can see your hand in so many things. The miracles, divine intervention, and timing. I know you are smiling down. I know you are pushing me. I feel your love. I see the signs. I am grateful, so very grateful. The beautiful connections restore my hope and joy.

Today is the fourth of July, one of your favorite days. I can only imagine the barrage of fireworks you would have purchased, and the display you would have put on today. Although I couldn’t stomach putting it together myself this year, I assure you, as time passes, we will put on the best show in your honor.

Until then, I wake with anticipation of each day. It is another opportunity to live life. Another day to show you I do not want to waste another minute. I am excited to show you that I will make you proud. Step by step, day by day. As the depths of my grief evolve, my sadness and anger grow, and so does my motivation to make you proud. 

August 3rd will be the grand reveal of your state fair bench.  It is going to be a bittersweet day of excitement and a shattered heart.  Until then, all my love, always and forever!

A year ago, Sheridan took the long drive to Florida to fulfill a dream.  It was that adventure that proved once again, Sheridan had no intention of letting his failing health control his days.  He pushed through so many challenges and so much pain, to arrive at Tampa International to greet the Greyhounds arriving from Ireland.  He managed the grueling drive, the bleeding, the dialysis, the sheer exhaustion, only to come home with the most beautiful gift.  

That was Sheridan's last trip and adventure.  The days that followed were painful and long.  He was surrounded by love and family, defying all the odds, and staying present until the very end.

Florida since has become like a second home, holding so much meaning and many different memories.  Sheridan had hoped to move there someday.  Ultimately, per his wishes, it became a final resting place too.  

Sheridan is loved and missed beyond measure.  The pain will never subside, because where there is great love, there is always great loss.  It is incomprehensible to those who have not experienced the same.  Yet with that pain and loss, there is also deep gratitude and celebration.  Sheridan was a gift to this family and the world.  He suffered immensely, yet lived life to the fullest.  He is an inspiration and his legacy will live on!

Nine Months

Every day is a spiraling journey.  The days are filled with shifting and evolving pain.  The emptiness, the raw unpredictable emotions, the rage, the anger, and the paralyzing need to hide from everything and everyone that once was familiar. It hurts.  Words cannot describe grief and the gravity of incomprehensible traumatic loss.

Yet, it is an honor and privilege to blaze forward in Sheridan's honor.  There is nothing I will let stand in my way.  So long as I have time left on my side, and breath left in this earthly body, I will fight for justice.  I will do everything in my strength to honor Sheridan's legacy, one baby step at a time.

In mere weeks we will make another visit to his second home and resting place.  I can not wait to feel his spirit there, once again, and celebrate that which brought him so much joy.

Just days ago, Sheridan's bench plaque was approved for his Minnesota State Fair bench.  I anxiously await the day people can find rest, and read his story.

2024 is just the beginning.  There is so much more to come.  

#DOITFORDRAZ

Two years ago today, I had the honor of accompanying Sheridan to trade in his VW GTI and purchase his Audi A7.  I am so grateful to have been chosen to share that special moment with him.  Although he didn't even keep the Audi for a full year, I am so thankful he had that experience.  He had that car modified, tuned, a new dual exhaust, and rims on in the blink of an eye.  While he wasn't stuck in the hospital, that car brought him so much joy.

Looking back, it seems impossible that that was 2 years ago.  Even more so,  it seems unimaginable that in less than two weeks,  it will be eight months since he completed his earthly mission.

2024 will continue to be a year dedicated to honoring Sheridan, his dreams, and his legacy.  Although I cannot make any promises about how much will be accomplished this year, I can assure you his story will continue to be told. Big plans are in the works, and one day there will be change made in Sheridan's name.

Entering the holiday season with an empty seat is very uncomfortable, to say the least.  It is that emptiness that drives the purpose to continue to seek Sheridan and honor him in all ways.

A few of us made a short trip to Bradenton, Florida, to visit with Sheridan and partake in the final race he had hoped to attend this year.  It was a whirlwind trip and full of joy.  Being there felt just like being with Sheridan in the flesh.  We were laughing and watching something he enjoyed.  The people/activity that sustained him, distracted him through hard days and motivated him to dream big.  It just feels right to be there.

Upon our return, we were blessed with a memorial service with the members of Sheridan's unit at the 34th ECAB.  They revealed a bench they had commissioned in Sheridan's honor and said it would remain with the unit.  It is such an emotional tribute.  Sheridan being honored in this way, and continuing to have a presence with his unit means so much.  Forever grateful to those who put forth the thought, time, and money.

Although the immediate future remains unknown, we will continue to honor Sheridan and seek ways to continue his legacy. 

A part of Sheridan's cremains made the long journey to Bradenton, Florida.  Per his wishes, a part of him will always live on at the Freedom Factory.  This is a place that brought him joy, friendships, and purpose.  The owner's YouTube videos motivated him to keep on his journey, even through his darkest days.  

The day before Sheridan's golden birthday his ashes were spread at the best location to take in all the action.  Videos can be found on the bottom of the Photos & Videos portion of his website.  A huge thank you to Josh, Alan, Garrett, and the Freedom Factory motorsports community!

Additionally, a bench was purchased to be placed at the Minnesota State Fair in the summer of 2024.  The green bench will be found somewhere in the north fairgrounds, near or around Machinery Hill.

Going forward, a continuation over the coming months and years, we aim to honor as many of Sheridan's final wishes and goals as he had hoped to achieve.  He will live on and his story will continue to be shared!