Lieutenant Monica Carey

You do not know me, but oh do I know so much about you, I can only imagine what our relationship would be like today if you were still with us. I know that you look down and smile as you watch over your family and now the family we have created together as husband and wife. I can’t begin to tell you how proud I am of your son and the man he has turned out to be, I am truly blessed to be able to share this life with him. You should also know what a wonderful husband Justin is, I can honestly say I have married my forever best friend, and that my love for him is unconditional.
Justin truly has a heart of gold, he is the exact example of what a father should be, even though he isn’t by blood, he has taken Jackson under his wings and does his absolute best to make sure he knows he is loved no matter what.
Of course we have pictures of you in our home, along with different awards and certificates you had earned through out your career. Jackson will often point at some here and there, and of course Justin is proud to talk to him about you and share some of the stories of your life with him.

I often think about you while I’m with Justin, or during special milestones we share with other family members. Buying our first house together, getting married, (“finally” as they would say) and the many “just being there” moments we would have shared together.
I wonder what advice you would give us when life gets difficult, especially now in the crazy world we live in. Some days are hard to think about the career he has, and how it can easily lead him to dark places unexpectedly, but he wouldn’t have it any other way. I know as well as he does, that you will forever be his guardian angel and be with him when those bad days do appear.

Just know that they love you, and you are truly missed by your loved ones and are certainly not forgotten, even from the ones that haven’t had the pleasure of meeting you.

With love,
Your daughter-in-law

Amanda Shingleton
Daughter-in-law

September 16, 2020