Having known Mel for the past 30 years, she has been a true joy and inspiration for me and so many!! 

Though we had lost contact for many years, in 2021 I was in my front yard of the home we had purchased in 2020 with my back to the street, when I heard this familiar voice that I had not heard in years, asking, Kay, is that you? Before I turned around I knew undeniably that was Mel's voice! 

What joy to not only see her but to learn she and Kevin lived just around the corner from our house!!

We did not skip a beat and took off immediately from the last time we had seen each other  and embraced a new and unknown final chapter that had begun.

From that day we had many heartfelt and enduring discussions while enjoying many impromtu delicacies that Mel whipped up spontaneously.  Mel's orbit was always entertaing with great food, conversation praying and uplifting of the spirit while focused on scripture and Jesus, our precious spouses,  the fact we each  had 2 amazing sons that we adored and had shared MANY stories and accomplishments of them all prior to this new encounter.

We immediately brought the other up to speed And....... now daughter-in-laws and GRANDCHILREN!!! Oh my!! How proud we both were of them and excitedly bragged about each and every detail of their precious lives!!

We discussed our lives in detail including many blessings along with heath challenges we both had experienced and some more recent and lingering challenges that we both were facing. 

Through it all I can sum our collective strength in three words, "Our undying faith" in our Savior, Christ Jesus!

For the past 4 years we were each other's biggest cheerleading squad and we boldly left ourselves faithfully in the hands of our Lord and Savior with confidence that His willingness to be with us til the end would write the final chapters!

Mel's faith and love for Jesus was spoken to ALL who allowed her to share her faith and others she had the opportunity and pleasure to meet.

It became her mission in life to speak about and to honor His name, always!

We will all miss Mel's presence in our lives but comfort comes with the promise that her beautiful smile and awesome spirit lives on in our memories and "forever" in the presence of her Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus".  NIV (2 Corinthians 5:8 ) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Mission accomplished Mel!!!

NIV (Mathew 25:23; His master replied, Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!