I happened upon this site because I was looking at the Heartlight Site. I was reading how you passed Melissa's book onto Phil, and he has linked this site on his blog. As I sit and weep reviewing your daughter's life. She obviously had/has "it". I recognize "it" because my daughter, Jessica, has "it" too. My daughter was diagnosed 1/05 with NonHodgkins Lymphoma and by God's decision to heal her, she is post treatment 1 1/2 yrs and 19 and a college student. They remind me of each other. As a mom of a cancer child, their death is always in the back of your mind. Finding you brings the possibilities to my mind, therefore I weep. But the weepy tears are mixed with happy tears as I know God's plan is sovereign should he decide to do something different. We are facing a new lump in her neck. Thank you for what you are doing here, as it reminds me I am not alone and inspired by another's story. I love you without even knowing you and I pray for His Kingdom to come so that we all may meet and you will be with your precious daughter forever and ever. May God bless you and your family and friends and meet your desire/need before you even know what they are.

Missing you more and more each day. I bet the sunrise is even more brilliant from where you are. Love you always, Melis.

There are countless funny memories of Melissa that i think upon when she enters my mind- but i think the thing I am most grateful for at this point in time is the support and love that Melissa still offers me through the love and grace of her family. I had often been blessed by Melissa's insight and wisdom while she was here with us on earth, and now, having had the wonderful chance to form a relationship with her mother, step-father and sister, I am grateful to continue to experience her wisdom and deep-seeded love through fellowship with them. Thank you Melissa!

I only knew Melissa through her mother's thoughts, writings and, of course, pictures. What a wondrous gift to be able to put into words the wonder and blessings brought to us from our children. Melissa seemed to have been xtra- specially blessed and I look forward to reading more of her mother's thoughts and writings about Melissa's life journey.

I never knew Melissa but her mother has been one of the most important inspirations in my life. Her commitment to the memeory of her daughter and her loving and kindness were clearly shared by Melissa. Janice will be using the next few months to honor her daughters memory by completing her prayer journal and we all look forward to the treasures it will bring

I regret to say that I never had the privelege of really hanging out or getting to know Melissa, but many of my friends at Gordon did know her and talked of her often. I still remember the day I heard that she left, though, and all the stories of her battle and her intense faith inspired me and continues to as I strive to become a better person and seek the Lord in all that I do, no matter where I am. It is my hope that I will also be a light to my friends and to those around me, just as Melissa was. I am sure she was a jewel amongst the thorns this world brings...Blessings and love to you all!

It is the night before Melissa's birthday and she is filling my thoughts. Sometimes it physically hurts when you miss someone. I'm experiencing that right now. I heard this quote this morning and I wanted to share it with you: "the reason why people hold on to memories so tight is because memories are the only things that don't change when everything else does." I am so happy and so thankful for those memories and I will cherish them always. We all will. Natalie shared one of her "Melissa memories" with me recently and it makes me laugh just thinking about it: Natalie and Leigh were staying with Melissa at Gordon one night, and in the middle of the night, Leigh and Melissa got up and moved Natalie (sleeping bag and all) into the bathroom across the hall, where she proceeded to sleep until the next morning! Melissa still makes me laugh to this day! How wonderful it is to know that we will see her again.

We miss Melissa constantly: her humor and quick-wit, her hugs and kisses, her heart and smile. Our deepest gratitude to everyone who has written on this site. We receive continual comfort from your tribute to our Princess. Thank you!

Today, June 9th. The day Melissa first saw God face to face. I sit all alone thinking of the beautiful memories. Memories, that I have revisited over these past two years. But one new memory came to my heart today. And I dare say that it is one of my very fondest with my precious friend. It was a usual Grace Chapel Sunday Service. Melissa and Jamie and Rita were saving me a seat. As I slid in one of the very first rows as the service begun, I sat next to Melissa. We stood and sang a few songs. Because I slid in at the last moment... I turned to the lady on the other side of me and asked her if I had taken anyone's spot. She could not hear me. So, I asked her again. Still, could not hear me. After the third time of politely asking her, I placed my hand on her knee to give her a gentle "I care for you tap", I again said, "I just wanted to make sure that I didn't take anyone's seat. She fiercely looked at me point blank and said, "Never EVER touch someone you don't know. I am trying to listen. I can't listen when you are rudly talking to me." And she got up and left. Well, I wanted to cry. Had I done something wrong? I was just trying to be nice. Did I make a new visitor to the church uneasy? Oh, I felt aweful. Then, I felt a delicate hand reach mine. Melissa pulled me toward her and said, "Jenny, that lady probably was hurt in the past. You did nothing wrong. Don't you worry. She was just an angry woman. It's alright." We stood to sing, and Melissa's hand didn't stop holding onto mine. She knew. She knew I needed her love at that moment. And I could sing and praise God just as I started to when I had first arrived.... because she loved me.

Melissa made a small book for me about 3 months before she died. The cover of it said, "friends through thick and thin" and inside she put small photos of us and our friends, and cards with different Bible passages on them.

Having lived without Melissa for 2 years, I have an even greater understanding for her choice of words and photos than I did when she first presented me with this gift. In a lot of ways, this little book is symbolic of my friendship with Melissa and the relationship I continue to cultivate with her.

First, "friends through thick and thin" is the perfect title for this small present. While she was living, we certainly made it through some fun times and some tough times together. In the last 2 years, that has not changed. I feel Melissa with me every day- whether it's a good day or a bad day. I felt her friendship when I could be with her in the flesh and blood, and I still feel her friendship through a more spiritual medium.

The second message she included in the book says, "Your friendship keeps me going! Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves" (Romans 12:10). This passage was shared amongst our friends and was something that Melissa proudly passed onto us. She wanted us to know how much our friendship had helped her cope with cancer, and she also knew that our friendships with each other could help us get through hard times in the future. Although I miss Melissa deeply, her friendship does keep me going. Knowing that I had a friend like her, and that there is still somebody out there who's looking out for me, is a great comfort.

The third message says, "Have faith. Trust. Rest Assured. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him" (Romans 15:13). This seems to break down Melissa's faith into very simple terms. She found faith, she trusted in God, and she was able to rest assured. This simple transformation showed the rest of us how beautiful life can become when you turn your life over to God.

The next message reads, "If it matters to you, it matters to Him. Cast all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you" (Peter 5:7). To me, by including this message in my book, Melissa was assuring me that even when I might feel like there is no one to listen to my troubles, God is always there. I used to share my thoughts and feelings with Melissa, and now that she's gone, I don't feel abandoned because of these words she left with me.

Next, "Two are better than one... if one falls down, his friend can help him up" (Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10). To me this emphasizes the importance of friendship in general. Melissa valued friendship very highly and showed the rest of us how to be selfless, considerate, and loving of all of our friends.

The next passage reads, "I thank my God every time I remember you" (Philippians 1:3). This Bible passage was particularly special for Melissa, as it was on the promise rings that she and Jamie shared. But it also is applicable to all of us who remember Melissa. I thank God that I even got the chance to know Melissa.

Lastly, "May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent from one another" (Genesis 31:49). I think Melissa put this at the end so that I could understand that our time apart is only transitory, to reassure me that we would see each other again, and to comfort me that God would be with both of us during this time.

As we near the 2-year mark of Melissa's death, it seems harder because I simply miss her more. The more time I've spend without Melissa, the more I long for those days. But I know that she would want us to remember the happy times with her and celebrate the fact that we were lucky enough to know her at all.