Happy Birthday  / Marissa Szumigale (BFF)
Shayna, I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday! I know I am a day late....but I wanted to wish you a happy fourth as well! I love you and miss you and think about you daily. xoxoxo, Marissa Close

Happy Birthday  / Aunt Mary Kay (Aunt and buddy )

Happy Birthday Shayna. What an amazing place you are in to celebrate your life. Just thought this was a good day to thank you for the lessons you taught me. You taught me that life was precious and to enjoy my time here. I think I taught you to live your life with no regrets but you showed me how to practice what I preach. God blessed us with you Shayna and we will always be thankful. 18 years is a short time when you measure someone's life by it but you packed alot in that time. And we loved you more and more everyday. That is something that never fades.

Yesterday I told Bobby about his cousin Shayna's birthday today-so me and Bobby danced for Shayna last night. Rocco, Nico and Bobby would have given you a run for your money but trust me they will hear about their cousin, Shayna. If fact, they are coming to your party.

Well, Baby, we miss you everyday. Time takes the tears away alittle but the hurt remains. Knowing you are in a better place helps. Someday, I hope you meet me at heaven's door saying "Hey Aunt Mary Kay, guess what?"  Miss those words.

God bless us all Shayna. Watch over us. I love you everyday.

Auntie M

 

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Race for the Cure!!  / Clare Loveland (Friend)

Hey everybody- I'm running the Race for the Cure this year and I'm looking for pledges!!! If you would like to make a donation or support me you can visit this site: 

http://race.pittsburghraceforthecure.org/site/TR/Race/General?px=1250522&pg=personal&fr_id=1060

And Thanks to Mary Kay for her donation!!!

Watch over me Shay <3

Clare

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Christmas / Aunt Mary Kay (aunt/buddy)
Well Shay, another holiday with you watching over us instead of being with us. Yesterday I received my Christmas gift. Connie sent me an email with both babies' sonagrams on it. What a miracle. I still can't believe it. Boy I wish you were here to help us bring these two, actually three-Angel's too, into this world. But I know you have been watching them grow. I made you a cookie with your name on it last night. I really miss you.  Someone here at work yesterday told me they will never forget seeing me and you walking through town when you were living with Gram. She said we were both smiling and talking and you were dressed in your dancing holey layers. She said we looked so much alike.  Boy I am so glad I had that time with you.
This will be a hard time again. All the holidays are. But I know in my heart you are celebrating in heaven and what an amazing celebration it must be. 
Well, Shayna watch over all of us. Gram and Pap miss you so much. Pap still talks about you living at their place and the fact he loved to see you dance. What gifts you gave us at the end. Time with me, time with gram and pap. Something always to treasure. I love you baby. I hope you are always walking with the angels. 
Merry Christmas to you.
Love you, Aunti M.

PS We got a nice donation from Noelle's family for your scholarship as part of a grab bag that Judy was doing. Very nice thought. See no one has forgotten you and trust me that will never happen. 
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sad news  / Aunt MaryKay (aunt)
Shayna, a very good friend of ours lost his 36 year old daughter to a long terrible battle with cancer. She left two beautiful kids and a grieving husband. I promised her dad that you will be there for her in heaven. Let her know that we will take care of her dad. Let her know that she was the one person he truly loved in this life.God bless you both up there. Celebrate and enjoy your eternal reward until we can all see you again.
Just wanted to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. I thank God everyday for the 18 years of fun and laughter that you gave us. I just told Uncle Much how many times you told me you were my "child sent from God". Now I know what you mean.
Well, I love you babe. Miss you everyday. Watch over our growing babies until they join us. 
Auntie M Close

thank you Shayna  / Aunt Mary Kay (Aunt and buddy )
Shayna, such a bittersweet moment for me yesterday. We found out that not only is Andy and Connie having a little boy but they are naming it after your Uncle Bob-Robert John. As if that isn't enough, Nick and Jamie tell us yesterday that they are having a baby too. Oh my God-the whole idea of two grandkids is so amazing to us. We are so blessed and yet I'm alittle sad. I feel sad that my grandkids won't get to know you. I promised myself that they will know who their cousin, Shyana, was. They will know that if you were here they would love you so much, just like Maggie and Lily love Cortney. They will know who you were and how much fun you were. I'll rock them and tell them so many funny stories about you. How you made us laugh and how we loved to see you dance. We will tell them the story of you putting makeup on Abby when she was just alittle girl and how she returned the favor. Have to admit that Abby had so much more design and color in the makeup she put on your face. How I loved to hear "Hey Aunt Mary Kay, guess what?". 
They will know that when we say our prayers we always say, God bless Shayna. And they will know that when they need someone (and they will always know that gram and pap are there for them), all they have to do is pray to Shayna. 
Thank you and God for our precious gifts. Please take care of our babies. Keep Connie's, Jamie's and Angel's too-all safe and help them grow healthy. 
Well, Shayna, I love you everyday. I miss you everyday but I know that you are in a very special place. Dance for us up there to celebrate our news. I love you baby. 
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Thank You  / Zack Stefanik (Brother)
Shayna.. I wanted to let you know first of all thank you for giving me this opportunity. The chance to attend college somewhere that I really want to go to. I wanted to let you know that today I struggled and didn't do so hot on a test and the thing that chokes me up so much isn't the fact that i feel i let mom and dad down its the fact that i feel i let you down. Im sitting here in this tiny corner next to a window dedicating this whole week to make sure i don't let you down again. As i sit here, i turn and look up to the sky... nothing down bellow but me. I need you to show me what i can be... I need you to help me and not let go... Close

<3 our angel  / Clare Loveland (Friend)
Hey Shayna...

Thinking about you a lot this week and especially after this weekend, your memorial. I know you were there with us, and Erin did an awesome job for you. It was great to see your family again. It's hard because I see so much of you in them, and it makes me miss you that much more. I miss that smile and I have to agree with your mom, I miss your goofiness. I hope you liked all your sunflowers and pink balloons! I'm keeping my rock on my dresser where I'll see it everyday ;)

I found this quote and it made me think of you and your mission statement:

"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left. Then I could say, "I used everything you gave me."

Keep watching over me Shay, I love you. 

Love, Clarey Close

Miss you.  / Aunt Mary Kay (Aunt)

Well, Shayna, another year. three years today since our lives changed forever.  I believe that you are with us always. So many times in a day, you make me smile. I laugh when I know something would have made you crack up. I smile when I pick up each penny you send me. I don't think a day goes by that you aren't in my thoughts and prayers. You may not have physically been here for all our happy events in the last three years, but I know you were with us in spirit and certainly celebrating with us too. 
There is no doubt that we will see  you again. That is the hope that keeps us all going. Today is a big day for Cortney. You really need to be with her today. She is starting her professional life today even though it is such a sad day for all of us. I just watched your video dancing on the beach. I know you are dancing in heaven. Zack is starting an experience that he will cherish forever. They both need to know that you are with them.
Watch over your mom and dad today. They will need you. I guess you need to watch over all of us today. I know I need you. 
Keep an eye on Angel and Connie's new babies that are growing everyday. 
Shayna, thank you for all the love you gave us over the years. Dance in heaven today to celebrate. Dry our tears. It's raining today and that doesn't surprise me. 
I love you Shayna. Keep dancing and keep putting the pink in the skies. Thanks for all my pennies.
Me and Uncle Muchie were just telling stories to each other about you the other day. That is what you left us to share. Thanks for the memories. 
Say hi to Jamie's mom, June, for me. We walked for Pancreatic Cancer for her yesterday. She was such a clown like you. It poured so we figured you and June thought that would have been a funny joke. Thanks. Tell June, I'm taking good care of Jamie for her like I promised. 

Love you very much.

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We Love you everyday!  / Mom
Shay, you would be so proud.  The party was a huge success! So many caring and generous people helping by dancing and contributing in your honor for the Shayna Stefanik Scholarship Fund. We all miss you terribly, but we know that even if we can't see you....you are here.  We love you and miss you everyday...love moml Close

hey birthday girl  / Clare Loveland (friend)

Hey Shayna, 

Just wanted to say Happy 21st Birthday! I'm sending you up a ballon tonight... I miss you more than words Shay, and I will be celebrating for you tonight! Keep watching over me angel. I'm having a really hard day today without you and hoping you can send me some of your goofy smiles and laughter... You're always in my heart.

Love you,
Clarey CP*

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Happy 21st Birthday  / Aunt Mary Kay (Godmother/Aunt)

Well Shayna we always talked about going to Cupka's for your 21st birthday. Now it is here and you're not. This is such a hard day. Supposed to be a milestone in a young life. Although every part of me knows that the celebration you will have in heaven will be amazing, I wish you were here. Just to see you dance and giggle made us all smile. You would have been so much fun to party with, crazy as you were. I know your friends are all thinking of you today, like all your family is. 
Someone wrote on your website that when you lose a parent, you lose the past. But when you lose a child, you lose the future. I think that is the pain that never goes away. Every milestone missed is another heartbreak. All your family will be celebrating tonight in your honor. "Raise a glass for Shayna." 
Losing you has to be the hardest thing in all of our lives. You taught us so much and I think that is what keeps us going. God gave you to us for a short time to teach us what is important. I learned the lesson and I will never forget it and I promise you I will always try to live it. I will live my life with no regrets.
I know you will be greeting each of us at heavens door someday. I know I'll hear "Hey Aunt Mary Kay, guess what?". Boy would I love to hear those words again. 
Well, on your special day-I love you so much and miss you with every breathe I take. Watch over all of us-keep us safe and bring us all home with you some day. 
I guess I'll have to deal with the hangover for both of us tomorrow morning-and that's ok. 
Happy 21st birthday our Dancing Angel. Thanks for the pennies.

                                                I love you, 

                                                Aunt Mary Kay

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I am so very sad for you  / Rosalee Cline (none)
I pray to God for your comfort.  I happened upon this website while looking at the color system.  Cyndie I am a mother of 3 girls all in college and my heart goes out to you as a mother.  Please know my prayers are with you and your family.  Rosalee Cline Close

The Holidays  / Aunt Mary Kay (Aunt and Godmother )
Well Shay, another holiday season is about to end. The sadness is still there in everyone's hearts and in our eyes. We managed to laugh cause we knew you would want us to. Andy and Connie gave us a reason to celebrate. It made it alittle easier. Your mom and dad gave us the most "awesome" gift from you-something I will treasure forever. We can only imagine the celebration you had in heaven. Probably something that is actually hard for us to imagine until we get there. 
I continue to see you watching over us in the amazing pink skies. I'm sorry to say that I never looked at the skies before as much as I do now. They have so much more meaning to me now.  I guess this is just another lesson that you taught me. To look around and cherish every little thing and to know that there is only one Being that could have given all these gifts to us.
Continue to watch over us. We need you so much. We love you everyday. If only we had one more day, but it still wouldn't be enough. Until I see you again, I love you very much. Keep tapping in my heart. As you always said, you were my child sent from God.  I wear my angel everyday and will forever. Love you. Be with us in 2007. 
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what shayna taught me  / Clare Loveland (friend)
a few things shayna taught me:

to celebrate anything and everything.
to go ahead and laugh out loud... as much as possible.
to listen with my heart. 
to soak up the sun.
to take chances.
to never doubt myself.
to smile at strangers.
to see the best in life.
to laugh at myself.
to make a difference in other people's lives.
to look up at the sky every chance i get.
to never give up.
to always keep my faith.
to be passionate about everything i love.
...and that life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... it's about getting out there and dancing in the rain.

i love you shayna... youre with me everyday, no matter where i am. i'll take as many pink sunsets as you can give me, angel. <3

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What Shayna teaches me everyday...  / Joe Moeller
Shayna has taught me more in the past 2 years than anyone else could. She taught me:

-To be more forgiving to others.
-To not regret decisions made.
-To appreciate others and what they do for me.
-To enjoy life and friends in it.

and

-To never forget the memory of our loved ones who have gone to heaven.

I can always tell when Shayna is watching over me, whether it's when "I Hope You Dance" comes on the radio in the car, or when someone sings "Build Me Up Buttercup" at a karaoke bar. I always think about Shayna and smile when I look at Cyndie's beautiful painting in my livingroom. (Thank you so much Cyndie) I just always wish I could have gotten to know her better.

I am thankful to get these lessons from her and find comfort in knowing that she is teaching a lot of us many things that we wouldn't have been taught otherwise. Close

What Shayna taught me.  / Aunt Mary Kay (Godmother)

Shayna, Happy Thanksgiving.  You will be in our thoughts and prayers this Thanksgiving and always. I love you everyday, Shayna.
Well, your mom wants us to tell what we learned from you.  Shayna, you taught me:
1. To look up at the sky as often as I can;
2. To listen to my heart;
3. That my words and actions will be someone else's memories some day;
4. That the greatest gift I can give someone is my time;
5. That laughing is amazing for the heart and soul;
6. To appreciate a dancer's moves;
7. That a broken heart doesn't really heal;
8. That tomorrow is not guaranteed;
9. To cherish my family and friends;
10. To trust that I will see you again;
11. That you were smarter than I thought you were (that's a joke);
12. That you can turn tears into smiles;
13. That this life is precious;
14. To live my life with no regrets (or did I teach you that);
15. That something so simple as pulling the grapes off the little stems can mean so much to someone;
16. That you can't pour sugar over chocolate chips;
17. How to understand website lingo;
18. To listen when people speak;
19. To have dreams and goals;

20. That God's plan is not always the same as ours;
21. That making a little girl smile with makeup all over your face is worth embarrassing yourself;
22. That what I do that is so insignificant to me may be mountainous to someone else.
23. That we are all here for a reason and we may never know what it is but someone else will; 
24. That I have my own angel on my shoulder; and
25. To love! 

And most importantly Shayna, you taught me enjoy my life.  Thank you for the memories, the smiles, the pink skies, the numerous pennies and just plain old Thank You for 18 years. I wouldn't have missed those for the world. 

Happy turkey day!

 

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I Hope You Dance-2006  / Aunt Mary Kay (Aunt)
Well Shayna, we did our best for you. All of the family put their hearts and souls into making this year's fundraiser, I HOPE YOU DANCE,  a success. And it was. The place was crowded with friends and family who all helped keep your memory alive that night and always. You should have gotten countless messages from everyone and I hope you got some of the "special" balloons.  Cortney and her friend Lauren, did a great job with inspirational dance signs that we believed you would have loved. The monetary donations and auction donations were pouring in even on that day. You would have been proud of Anthony, he spoke from from the heart, to thank us for our support, and you for what he is today. Anthony is another legacy of yours. He knows that he is living both your dreams. Each moment in the night is bitter sweet but I always walk away proud knowing that you would be so proud of all of us. 
Keep watching over us Shayna. We need you. There are many moments that still bring us to tears. We are getting stronger but it still hurts so bad. Not a day goes by that I don't think about you and miss my SOUTH SIDE BUDDY!
We all love you Shay. That will never stop. Like our message to you says  "God has you in his heaven, but we have you in our hearts".
Keep dancing, keep tapping in my heart, keep sending me the pennies and keep the pink in the sky. I know you are up there.

Love you forever and ever. Until we meet again,

Aunt Mary Kay  
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Happy Birthday to a Angel  / Diane/ Mom To Angel Jimmy Brozzetti

Have a wonderful birthday; catch the balloons we send up to you. 

We thought of you with love today, but that is nothing new

We thought about you yesterday and days before that too

We think of your beautiful smile, and often speak your name

Now all we have are happy memories, and your picture in a frame

Your memory is our keepsake, with which we will never be apart

God has you in His Heaven

We have you always in our hearts…

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Happy Birthday  / Aunt Mary Kay (Loving Aunt and Godmother )
Happy Birthday Shayna. Boy in my head I am wondering "what you would be today" but in my heart you remain the beautiful, beautiful, beautiful 18 year old I remember. They say time heals but I'm not so sure that is true. Time brings calm and peace but the hole in my heart won't heal until  "I see you again someday". I just wanted to thank you on your birthday for teaching me how precious life is and how short it can be too.  You were a birthday example of "No regrets". You did it all and in a very short time. You always said you were my child sent from God.  Boy you were even smarter than we thought.
Well Shayna on your birthday-party in heaven and dance with the angels. I'll be feeling you "tap" in my heart today. I love you very much and miss you with my whole heart.  Someday Shayna I'll get to hear "Hey, Aunt Mary Kay, guess what?".
Well from all of us Macuraks down here:

 "Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Shayna, Happy Birthday to you".

Love you baby. KEEP DANCING!   Close