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This quote was one of Melissa’s favorites, and reflects her attitude towards life. Living True.
It was motivational to her in life, and now, it seems to speak of her.
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FROM
MELISSA |
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Our
deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light,
not our darkness that most frightens us.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened
about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine as children do.
It's
not just in some of us; it is in everyone.
And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission
to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. |
Melissa was born in Edmonton December 5, 1990; the youngest of three daughters to Landon
and Moneca, sister to Dena and Blaire. No child has ever entered the world more loved than she. Her big sisters then 5 and
3 years old could not have been more thrilled to have a beautiful new baby sister. With her big blue eyes and beautiful blond
hair Melissa stole the hearts of everyone she met; she was an angel from the very first moment.
Her physical abilities were apparent from a very early age; she could climb a rope ladder
before she could even walk, and she walked at 10 months old.
Melissa attended Sunshine Park playschool in both the three and four year old programs,
finally able to go to ‘school’ like her big sisters.
Melissa attended Mills Haven Elementary in Sherwood Park, entering the Kindergarten program
when her sisters were in grades 3 and 5. By the time she entered grade one, her oldest sister would brag about how fast she
could run and arrange races between Melissa and her grade 6 classmates over lunch hours.
She attended grade 7 and 8 at F.R.Haythorne Jr. High, and grade 9 at Lakeland Ridge, both
in Sherwood Park. She was a member of the very first grade 9 graduating class at Lakeland Ridge. Grade 10 took her into the
Edmonton to attend Vimy Ridge Academy, where she was enrolled in the soccer program. She loved Vimy Ridge, the teachers, the
program and of course all her friends. It was Melissa’s love of sports that made the choice to move her schooling to
Vimy. There she played on the Vimy senior girls Volleyball and was enrolled in the Volleyball program for her grade 11 year.
Melissa had played soccer from the time she was six years old, moving through House League
to tier 2 in grade 10. During her grade 10 school year Melissa began playing Rugby, and since there was no team at Vimy, she
and one of her friends joined and played for the W.P. Wagner Warriors Rugby team. She had definitely found her sport in Rugby.
Her love for, commitment to and ability in the game was apparent from the very first day.
Winters would find Melissa on the hill snowboarding. Snowboarding was probably her favorite
sport of all she played, and like anything she tried, she excelled. She made the switch from skiing to boarding when she was
about 8 years old at the encouragement of her parents who could no longer keep up to Melissa on the ski hill. We mistakenly
thought it might slow her down a little, we were wrong. Her first year on a snowboard earned her the nickname ‘little
pro girl’ from the lift operators at Sunridge Ski Hill, where she spent as much time as possible. Our winter family
vacations always took us into the mountains to ski and snowboard, our last one to Melissa’s favorite - Lake Louise,
where we spent 5 days.
Over summer break 2006 Melissa decided to learn to play golf which led to Melissa and her
Mom taking lessons together. We had a terrific time together as we always did. We got to the golf course only once, just a
few weeks before she was killed, but she put us all to shame hitting a 230 yard drive for a par on her last hole.
Melissa’s love of sports was matched by her love of animals and her love for her family.
As a little girl I always said the only thing she wanted more than a dog was a horse, and the only thing she wanted more than
a horse was a dog. She never had the chance to own a horse, although we would go horseback riding as often as possible. Melissa
dreamed of one day living in the country and having horses of her own; I always told her to hang onto her dreams, one day
they would come true. She did get her dog though, a small mixed breed bundle of blonde hair named Beckie. I think she was
the happiest little girl on the planet the day that dream came true. Melissa adopted her from NASAP, with money she had raised
herself, and they were constant companions from that day hence. Melissa taught her many many amazing tricks that she loved
to show off to everyone who came to our home.
As a person, a daughter, a sister and a friend Melissa was outstanding. Her beautiful presence,
her amazing smile, her infectious laugh, and her loving personality, her instinctive wisdom made her absolutely irresistible.
There has never been a person who loved or deserved life more. She had so much to live for, so many people who loved her,
so much talent and potential. So much she should be here to enjoy and experience.
From Moneca Melan;
I was the proudest, luckiest Mom in the whole world. Melissa was my life, and words cannot express
the agony of losing her. Melissa and I spent so much time together; a lot of it driving to and from different sporting events.
In that time, we talked and sang and worked through every little thing that life brings. I have never felt closer to any other
human being than I was to Melissa. We had a special bond that existed from the very first moment. I want her back.
Melissa, I love you Princess, more than bunny tails, more than raindrops, more than sunshine, more
than snowflakes and pixie dust, for every and always my Angel.
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