The biggest supporter of this blog wasn't even a Beatles fan. One month after I started this site, I met Paul Shawn Inman and we started dating. I was pretty surprised when we first met that he really had no clue who The Beatles were.
My boyfriend passed away on February 8, 2019, unexpectedly. I want to take a little time on my blog to honor him.
Shawn was my #1 fan. He would have been my #1 fan no matter what I did. He was the type of partner that was supportive of anything I did. I wanted to travel to England, he'd help me pack. If I wanted to be in a play, he would help me memorize my lines. If I wanted to see Paul McCartney in concert in Iowa but didn't want to drive by myself, he kept me company in the car. So when I wanted to write a book and had doubts about it, he was my cheerleader and told me, "If anyone could write a book about The Beatles, it would be you! You have to do it." So in late 2013, I started writing "Happiness is Seeing The Beatles." I got discouraged so many times along the way and Shawn was right there telling me that I could do it. I remember one time he told me, "No -- you are right. You can't write a book. You better give up." I started crying and he felt so bad! He was being sarcastic because I had been asking him SO MANY times if he thought I could do it. If you have a copy of my book, you will see that I dedicated it to my parents and to Shawn. Now you know why.
Here I am selling Beatles stuff and promoting my book at a local event. See that arm and shirt on the right side of this photo? That would be Shawn. |
Shawn was my "behind the scenes" guy. He was helping me load books into cars, pack up books in luggage, get more books out of the garage. He was helping me find my Sharpie to sign books and carrying packages to the post office to mail. When it came to this blog, he was the person that would say things like "It's Wednesday, shouldn't you be writing a review?" The pattern of posting for this blog was because of him. I post Sunday-Thursday nights, five photo/stories each night and took Friday &Saturday off from the blog to spend the evenings with Shawn. He sometimes carried my cards with the blog name on it with him in case he met someone that liked The Beatles. He would tell people he chatted with on the RPG online that he played that his girlfriend "Has the best Beatles blog in the world." And the one that I always would shake my head, but he said it ALL the time to people, "My girlfriend is one of the top female Beatles historians in the United States."
He never understood my passion and love for The Beatles. I guess he never needed to understand it. He just knew that it was important to me. However, it was funny that he caught some of the more odd Beatles facts and would repeat them. He knew that one time Yoko stole George's biscuits during a session, but he didn't know the name any Beatles albums. He usually listened to pop music on youtube while he was gaming. One time I heard a familiar sound coming from the speakers. He had discovered "We Can Work It Out" and really liked that song. He finally had a favorite Beatles song.
Without a doubt, I am going to really miss Shawn. It is going to take me a very long time to accept what has happened and be able to find a new normal. One thing I know for sure: one of the ways that I can honor him is by keeping this site going and finishing the fan club book I have been writing. I am sure that he wouldn't want me to stop doing the things he always encouraged me to do. It won't be the same without my #1 fan.
Thank you for taking the time to read this memorial.
Shawn Inman May 1, 1981 - February 8, 2019 Always loved, never forgotten. |
A wonderful tribute to him. Much love to you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute Sara. I'm praying for you.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful tribute, Sara! At a time when there are no words, you have given the world a sense of what a special guy Shawn was just the same. "We Can Work It Out" will always be playing somewhere, sometime, and when it does, I know a lot of people will be thinking of him now.
ReplyDeleteRest in Peace Shawn. He may be telling John and George about his girlfriend's dedication to them. What a lovely boyfriend you had!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry for your loss, Sara. My thoughts are with you.
ReplyDeleteLeftyBass
I'm truly sorry for your loss, Sara. God bless.
ReplyDeleteI'm very sorry for this loss in your life. I hope you're OK.
ReplyDeleteSara,
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry for your loss. It's good that you are talking about Shawn. All I can say is, let it all out now, if you don't, it will get you later. Share your thoughts and sadness, and focus on good things. i.e. Your blog.
Don't forget to be good to yourself, it will help .
Many your God bless you.
A.
Condolences Sara...life can be weird sometimes :(
ReplyDeleteDear Sara, what you wrote is so beautiful! I bet Shawn is smiling from above. How lucky you two were to find each other and spend these years together. I can't begin to imagine your pain and sadness. Please accept my love and a big hug from faraway. <3
ReplyDeleteHe sounds like he loved you very much and you him. Here for you. ♥️
ReplyDeleteLovely Tribute. Made me like your man Shawn; and I also believe - - "He knew that one time Yoko stole George's biscuits during a session, but he didn't know the name of any Beatles albums" - - that GH would appreciate Shawn's sense of priorities.
ReplyDeleteSara I am Shawn's cousin I just want to tell u how sorry I am to hear about him.I hadn't seen seen him in many years. But from what I heard he was an amazing guy.
ReplyDeleteThank you Loretta. He was a great guy who was very private. Thank you for reaching out to me. It is nice to hear from his family.
DeleteSorry sorry for ur loss. R.I.P.Shawn
ReplyDeleteSo sorry Sara, both of you will be in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to learn of your loss, Sara. It sounds like Shawn was a great guy.
ReplyDeleteWhat a moving tribute and so incredibly sad. I'm sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteMy deepest condolences to you. I'm so sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteDearest Sara - sending love & prayers to you; someone said to me once about my lost partner that he was in the past but will be in the future which I share with you now
ReplyDeleteWhen I read this in February, I didn't get it. Now I do. Thank you.
DeleteSorry for your loss, Sara. 🙏🏻
ReplyDeleteMy sincerest condolences.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your story. I am sorry to hear of your loss.
ReplyDeleteSara: I'm so sorry to hear this news. A loss like this is never easy, and never fair, but the passage of time will lessen the pain, leaving you with all the wonderful memories. Shawn will always be by your side, continuing to inspire and motivate you. Just know that your many friends and readers support you at this sad time, and appreciate all you've done through your amazing blog. Prayers for you.
ReplyDeleteMuch love to you, Sara.
ReplyDeleteI feel like I missed out on knowing a great guy.
ReplyDeleteSorry for your, and his family and friends, loss
RIP
I am so very sorry for your loss Sara...
ReplyDeleteThat was a beautiful tribute. I am so sorry for your loss! Thank You for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWow -- I sure didn't expect to get so many comments on this tribute. Thank you all so much for your love and support. I wanted to do something to honor Shawn's memory and so I turned to the one thing I can do easily: write. I am blessed that I have this platform to use. I typically don't post personal things on here, but I had to make this exception. Thank you again for your love and support. Sara S.
ReplyDeleteSara, I offer my condolences to you for your loss. This is never easy but be assured that there are people thinking of you. May he rest in peace. You too seem very lucky you have found each other. May your pain lessen each day.
ReplyDeleteWow Sara, I am shocked and saddened for Shawn and you, a great and loving tribute to an amazing and supportive man, my heart aches for your loss. As always, peace and love, my thoughts and prayers are with you both.
ReplyDeleteMay he R.I.P. Sorry for your loss...
ReplyDeleteI was so sorry to hear the news. Sending cyber hugs to you.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss. I really don't have any words. Your story is beautiful and unique and one of a truly supportive love. You will have to be very strong to carry on but obviously you are. RIP to Shawn and peace and comfort to you. Your site is brilliant.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for your loss Sara.
ReplyDeleteHere's to shawn!
ReplyDeleteSo very sorry for your loss. May your memories give you strength and envelope you in love during this difficult time.
ReplyDeleteMy deepest sympathies to you. What a great love story. I have gotten so much joy from your blog and I am sending you a virtual hug.
ReplyDeleteSunrise doesn't last all morning
ReplyDeleteA cloudburst doesn't last all day
Seems my love is up
And has left you with no warning
But it's not always going
To be this grey
All things must pass
x
So sorry for your loss, Sara. Shawn was clearly a wonderful person. That was a beautiful tribute that you wrote.
ReplyDeleteSara, God bless and help you in your healing journey one day at a time
ReplyDeleteYou have a beautiful story and a powerful love. I am sorry to hear of your loss and may he rest in peace. Carry on with your dream, he is right by your side.
ReplyDeleteMy deepest condolences.
ReplyDeleteMaria
I'm sorry for your terrible loss, Sara. This is a beautiful tribute to Shawn. His loving and supportive nature comes through. I wish you strength and peace in the days ahead.
ReplyDeleteMy deepest condolences and love from Australia
ReplyDeleteShaun
Dear Sara; praying that Jesus will continue to heal your heart as the days go by...Gillian
ReplyDeleteThank you Gillian. It hasn't been easy, but I am doing the best that I can.
DeleteHello Sara: warm thoughts out to you today & may peace fill your heart. It's been several years now since I lost my love & miss him everyday. Do take care, Gillian
ReplyDeleteI first met Shawn in around 1999-2000 maybe earlier. He was always extremely friendly and very funny. Truly one of the best friends I ever had. We were even roommates for a while. I used to play D&D with him and his brother Tony a lot, they even taught me how to play MTG. Life lead us in different directions and eventually different parts of the country. I was horribly saddened when I found out he passed because I still to this day think of him often. He cared about everyone and did his best to show it. I've wanted to make this post many times over the last few years but didn't know where to even start. He was a really great person and I'm glad he had you in his life.
ReplyDeleteD
D
DeleteThank you so much for this comment. It brought tears to my eyes. It is so nice to hear from someone who knew Shawn before I met him and has good memories to share. He loved his RPGs and still played them all the time. He really liked Runescape. Shawn was a great person and I am happy that you got to see that in him. I know it has been 5 years since he passed away, but it doesn't feel like it. I miss him every day. I am still in contact with his son, who still considers me to be like a mom to him. I am trying to figure out who you are -- he told me so many stories about his life....
Sleep little willow, peace going to follow
ReplyDeleteTime will heal your wounds
Grow to the heavens, now and forever
Always came too soon