Wow where do I begin… I met Melissa in December 2010. She had just been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. There was an immediate connection to her and her family. Even my kids felt it, saying that they felt so close, like her children were their siblings. Melissa made every effort to get to know me and be my friend even though she had her own trials to face. It was like she could feel my pain and had an understanding of what I’d been through even before I told her anything. As time went on I grew more and more love for Melissa, she is truly a wonderful, genuine person that is full of the light of Christ. I found out about this website the day of her funeral but kept my distance, because you see I married Sam and am raising her children. Melissa was so unselfish and wanted to do what the Lord wanted her to do, so much that she sacrificed her Heaven on earth for my happiness. She gave Sam and me her blessing and told her close family members and children that she wanted Sam and I to marry quickly after she passed. Because of her unselfishness her children never once questioned me as their new mother, and love me with her unconditional love. Her family has welcomed me in, and been so kind to me. Melissa is still influencing many lives, she has come to me often and has helped me comfort her husband, children and today her sister. I’m sure that I do not hear or feel everything that Melissa would like me to, but am so grateful for what I do gain from her spirit. I don’t know what I’ve done to be so blessed to feel her closely, to have her give me her Heaven. I love her children and dear Sam. I will do my best to help them, to love them; however I will not be able to do as well as she could.
Bethany- Cuddle bug, she is 7 and just today I was talking to her about her mom being gone only 5 months. She then said “It feels like forever since I saw her.” Her Kitten was hit by a car last Thursday and she cried a bit and replied “Mama has a kitten to play with now and I know she’ll take good care of Duchess.” Bethany had a very difficult time at first and didn’t want to be with many people and I was so glad that she was comfortable with me. One day when she was crying and saying that life is so unfair, I explained that Caleb, James, and Daniel needed her too and that Melissa was taking care of them, that they’d been without her for a very long time. She then said “Well I guess they need her too. I can do hard things, but I can’t wait until I get to see her again.”
Ausitn (9)- At times he’s been angry and he hasn’t let many people in, I am so fortunate that he has let me in many times. He gives me lots of loves and is always excited to tell me his achievements and fun things happening in his life. I have two boys and he has been so glad to have brothers and is such a good brother to them. He is so intelligent and reading 3 grades (at least) above his grade level.
Cassie (11)- she is more grown up than any 11 year old I’ve ever known. She has Melissa’s beautiful brown eyes, (though they are not as dark, they are very big and caring). She looks a lot like Melissa. She has Melissa’s love for reading and writing. She is very forgiving and patient like her mother.
I have 4 children and one on the way now, so life has changed a lot for everyone. It has been wonderful and difficult. I think everyone is doing as well as expected and that is largely because of Melissa’s blessings and spirit in our life frequently. Melissa was wearing a bracelet from my daughter Aurora when she passed. Madeline idolized Melissa since the first time she met her. One of the last things that Melissa said to me was that one of her biggest regrets was that she didn’t learn how to play the piano, and that one day she would play well enough to accompany people but first she needs to work on sitting up. Melissa even in her last days joked and made everyone feel welcomed. I’ve been so blessed to have the privileged to know one of God’s most choice daughters to walk the earth. I love you Melissa.
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