MELISSA'S LEGACY
Deb and I want to thank all of you for the love and support you've given our family. Your pain and awful suffering shows how deeply Melissa touched your lives. We saw it on every face, and in every tear. But we want to talk about Melissa's legacy. It isn't how she died that matters. Someone said they hoped young people would learn a lesson from Melissa's death. We think the greater lesson to learn is from her life, and how she lived it.
It's been said the most important measure of a person's life aren't the two dates we see when they pass, but the dash in between. Although Melissa was only with us 17 1/2 years, her dash is filled with more accomplishments, more contributions, and more stories than many who lived much longer.
Melissa's dash is her big brown eyes, her incredible smile, and the way she lit up a room when she walked in.
Melissa's dash is her drive to succeed in everything she did, and her intolerance for apathy and being satisfied with average. She faced her life with such enthusiasm and energy. And she made such a positive difference in everyone she touched.
Melissa's dash is how she cared for so many people and wanted so dearly to be everyone's friend, and help them through their problems. It's in her strong belief of her religion, how she so loved teaching her CCD kindergarten kids, singing in her beloved choir, and how she found such joy and happiness in comforting others.
Melissa's dash is the fire in her soul, and the tenderness in her heart. Her hard outer shell, but her soft inner self.
That's how Melissa should be remembered. That's what really matters. Only God knows how very far she would have gone if He hadn't called her. We are overwhelmed by how she touched the lives of the hundreds and hundreds of people we saw during the viewings and at the funeral. Each filled with an agonizing pain of losing her, but also with thousands of wonderful stories and memories. That's how Melissa will be remembered. That's what really matters.
To Melissa's friends she'd say; keep my memory alive by striving to make the most of your life. Be a positive role model by making a difference in this world. Be successful in what you do by trying your very hardest, and always doing your very best.
To the Moms and Dads she'd say; love your kids every day. Hug them like there's no tomorrow. Take nothing for granted. Tell them how much you love them, and how very proud you are in everything they do.
For us, we'll go on with our lives filled with the joy and happiness of our other children Heather and Michael. Each so very special in their own unique ways. We love them as much as we love Melissa, and we're every bit as proud of them. They'll be our comfort and our salvation. We'll find a way to get them through without their big sister. And even though we will miss Melissa more than our hearts can bear, we know she's smiling down on all of us from above, and is singing with the other angels in Heaven's choir. We love you Melissa!
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