[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 6 (Tuesday, February 1, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 1, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                          THE DEATH OF SHELLY

  Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, 2 months ago, our family suffered a 
terrible loss with the death of our daughter Shelly. She was a 
beautiful and wonderful young woman, just entering the prime of life.
  She died from complications of corrective heart surgery that was 
expected to be routine and safe with a 99.5 percent success rate. But, 
tragically, the surgery was not successful for Shelly. The doctors are 
still unable to explain Shelly's heart failure. It was a harsh reminder 
to us that the wonder of modern miracles in medicine is still tempered 
with a lack of certainty and a continuing mystery about human life.
  While Shelly's death is not able to be completely explained, her life 
provides for me a full explanation of why we miss her so. She was a 
very special young woman.
  Today, I want to express how deeply thankful I and my family have 
been for the expressions of prayers, support and strength from so many 
friends in North Dakota and also from those with whom I serve here in 
the U.S. Congress.
  So many have taken the time to call or write and do the little extra 
things to show they care. I want to tell all of you how much it has 
meant to me and to my family.
  Finally, I would like to share with my colleagues something that I 
wrote following Shelly's death.

                     Shelly, a Treasury of Memories

       She is a beautiful, bright, witty, wonderful 23-year-old 
     wife, daughter, relative and friend. She lived and she died. 
     And because she lived, our lives are forever changed.
       Our sorrow is heavy today because we know our loss. The 
     poet Lord Byron wrote, ``There is no joy the world can give 
     like that it takes away.'' We know that today.
       We also know that it is our lot, all of us, to die. We 
     understand that. But, Shelly died too young. We don't 
     understand that.
       When a parent dies, they take with them their past. But the 
     death of a 23-year-old takes the future as well.
       So what is left? Memories. No matter our status in life, 
     that is all any of us will ever leave. And Shelly, despite 
     her youth, left us a Treasury of Memories.
       They included, from here to there, a smile, a tear, a 
     giggle, an act of kindness, a gentle touch, an encouraging 
     word, and a warm embrace. In recent weeks, facing difficult 
     surgery, she left us the memory of a young woman full of 
     hope, determination, strength, courage, and faith. Would, 
     that we all, could leave such memories.
       Her wish today, we are certain, would be for us not only to 
     be strengthened by the memories of her but also to take 
     comfort in the promise that our common fate is to meet Shelly 
     again in eternal life.
       Until then her love will never die, and her spirit will 
     forever remain a part of our lives.
       These words of an unknown author speak to us for Shelly 
     today.

     ``Do not stand at my grave and weep
     I am not there, I do not sleep,

     I am now the thousands of winds that blow
     The glint of diamonds in the snow,
     I am the sunlight on ripened grain
     I am the gentle autumn rain,

     When you awaken in the morning hush,
     I am the swift uplifting rush
     Of quiet birds in circled flight
     I am the soft star that shines at night,

     So do not stand at my grave and cry,
     I am not there . . . I did not die.''

       And so it is with Shelly. She lives forever in our hearts--
     until we meet again.

                          ____________________