We have lost a wonderful friend in Melody. Desi and Tim have lost their mother...and emotionally their father. And they have lost their innocence and more than likely their belief in humanity. A child, no matter the age, looks upon their parents to protect, not only themselves but to protect their immediate family. Their entire foundation was cracked the day Melody lost her life. They carry deep wounds and we, as Melody's adopted family, can be there to make sure that the scarring is not so savage. That the wound does not fester, that it heals. The pain will never totally go away. But it can be eased and in time, they can learn how to once again see the good.

We can show the children, that there is love, kindness and humanity. That there is good. This can be accomplished in our words and deeds. We can show them that words on a page have heart and soul. We can show them that we loved Melody, even though many of us never met her in real world.

These two children are Melody's heart. They are her legacy. We cannot do anything to being Mel back. But we can help her children. That is the greatest gift that we can give Melody.

We can write to them sending out love and strength. We can be positive and reassuring about their futures. And we can help. Melody's son Tim just turned 18. Desiree is just 16.

On June 19, 1997 we lost a very dear friend...............

We the family of CAFE1, want to send our love, thoughts and prayers to the family of Melody Ann. A wondeful name for a wonderful person, who constantly brought a concert of melody to each of our lives:

The melody of laughter

The melody of friendship

and the melody of perseverance

Always remember the times she was there to listen and to give all her attention to your problems, joys, fears and triumphs. Always remember the way she could make us smile and laugh with her wonderful sense of humor, even though at time it was a bit warped. Always remember the great friend she prove to be time and time again. Most of all, always remember the strength this wonderful woman had in persevering over a life wrought with trials and tribulations. A woman who made it through such hard times in her own life, yet still had so much to give to others.

This are just a few of the things our Melody brought in our lives, things that will be sorely missed. This person is our MelodyAnn, who will always be with us, as long as we remember and keep her memory alive in our hearts.....

Here are some of the wonderful memories shared by others:

The first time I met the "oreo" woman was in September of '96. I drove to Chattanoooooga to see her, Wildguy and Merry. But Tim (referred to as Grumpier butt by Mel) was on a rampage as usual and didn't want her driving around seeing strange people (now those of you who have met me, please... no comments ). So I drove 2 more hours over the mountain to meet the sweetest country girl alive. She came BOUNDING into Merry's house, ranting and raving about Tim. Then she smiled and said, "What the hell! Lets go have fun!" And off we went to the Nashville Conservatory, walked and talked, and made pictures of us together. Melody was full of life, wide open, balls to the wall. Outspoken, friendly, I guess I should say she was just one of the best around.

The next time I saw her in 3D was when she was in the hospital with her bone marrow transplant at Vanderbuilt. We sat on her bed for 6 hours, played CDs (god we felt like teenagers at a slumber party), rang the nurse to bring us something to drink (being a nurse I especially liked that part, MEL said, SPLURGE!! you wait on people every day!) She always thought about others, that was one of her best qualities. And we waited on Merry to bring us food "cuz hospital food sucks!" I met her mom then and some of her friends, and she had many. She told me her dad had re-named his resturant Mel's Place in case she didn't make it. She was fearful of what would happen to her children if she died. (Mel, we'll take care of them the best we can honey.)

The next encounter was in Chicago, Feburary '97. Please picture in your mind, this small, short, impish woman carrying a BOOMBOX through Chicago O'Hare Airport dat was MELLY. She has the Demi Moore almost shaved haircut, those BIG brown eyes and a million dollar smile. From all ends of the airport you could hear..."HEY KAT!!!" A woman full of life (and scared to death of flying yet she made the trip to see the Scotty man.) Melody was a remarkable woman that I was privileged to meet. I was inspired by her courage and moxy. Mel, you beat the odds with Hodgkin's Disease.... You go gurl! Now.... go forth in heaven and show those angels how to act and dance.... ROLL WITH IT!!!! just put your back into it..lick dem lips, and roll dem hips!!! Awwwwwwww baby you can do it!!! Just put your back into it and roll dem hips! Love ya Mel!! /me uploads a BIG bag of OREOS to da gurlfriend.

kathyhuny

Mel......

Her eyes so full of life
Her heart so full of love,
Now she is in heaven
That special place above.

She over came her sickness
to only die in vain,
She will be missed by all
Melody was her name.

She left behind two children
who will forever morn,
Longing for their mother
I know their hearts are torn.

She had two seperate families
one most of us did not know,
The only thing is now
She will not see her children grow.

My thoughts and prayers are with them
her kids, mom and dad,
but I am sure they know
that Melody was the best mom
and daughter anyone could have ever had.

Melody

I am told
and the pain lances into my soul
Keen, familiar, and yet
unique, different each time.

Memories of her are lifted,
scattered around my mind
like the dry leaves of Autumn, blown
by the first, cold wind of Winter.

I struggle to gather them to me,
determined, desperate
not to let a single one go.
Knowing there will be no more.

Working, trying to impose some order
some structure, to my thoughts
To commit them, so you, who knew her too
can share, with me, the essence of our friend.

And yet, even as I write,
I know this to be futile, my words
insufficient, no more than
a faded reflection in a dusty mirror.

Memories are too personal,
too insular to be shared. Words,
may strike a chord, but can never
communicate what lays beneath.

To remember, look not to words, to pictures,
for they are not her. Look instead
into your hearts, where she touched you
for there she lives still, where she would want to be.

Mr.H

friends without faces

at the end of the day we are all friends
We sit and we type and we stare at our screens
we all have to wonder what this possibly means
With our mouse we roam,through the rooms in a maze
Looking for something or someone as we sit in a daze
We chat with each other,we type all our woes
Small groups we do form,and gang up on our foes
we wait for somebody to type out our name
We want recognition,but itt is always the same
We give kisses and huggs,and sometimes flirt
In MIRc we chat deeply and reveal why we hurt
we do form friendships....but...why we don't know
but some of these friendships will flourish and grow
Why is it on screen,we can be so bold
telling our secrets,that have never been told
Why is it we share,the thoughts in our minds
With those we can't see,as though we were blind
the answer is simple,it is as clear as a bell
We all have our problems and need someone to tell
We can't tell real people,but tell someone we must
so we turn to the 'puter and to those we can trust
Even though it is crazy,the truth still remains
they are friends without faces,and odd little namse

Mel was a good friend to all of us

MaryUK

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