From Daddy To Mel.

Tonight I find it difficult to sleep, so I am putting my thoughts out
there maybe as some sort of therapy. What more could be said than I
miss our Mel. I miss her always wanting to say “goodnite, love you,
see you in the morning”, yes my sweet Mel, we will see you in that
eternal morning where pain, sickness, or grief will not be. Though it
doesn’t seem fair for you to go, it would be selfish of us to wish
that you could stay in the pain you experienced. We love you Mel and
look forward to a wonderful reunion. I wonder if you can see us or if
you can see Mee Maw or Mom Mom Spry or if you are occupying your new
mansion that Jesus has prepared especially for you. You have made our
lives richer and you have taught us so much about staying the course
in spite of obstacles. Melanie, we will never forget your concern for
others in spite of your own pain. You have won the ultimate prize, a
crown of eternal life, we will be along, but in the meantime, we will
weep, not for what you have gained, but for what we have lost for a
time. I will miss your smile, your hugs, your singing, your piano
playing, your laughter, your love of holidays, going out to eat just
you and me ending up at Walmart to pick out your birthday gift,
getting up early to go crabbing, packing sandwiches and coffee to go
hunting, taking sips out of my coffee, not having your hair combed,
helping me with the lima beans in the garden, walking back to Gramma
and Grandpas to fish, going for atv rides, having a bonfire in the
summer, snuggling up close before bedtime, hearing your beautiful
voice fill our home, teaching Jana and Cameron to make omelets, baking
cookies especially at Christmas time, going to Ronnie’s Market to see
the trains and Christmas decorations, going out to the barn to see
your desks set up to play school, watching you in the school plays and
cantatas, seeing your encouraging notes, being funny at the table,
decorating your room with polka dots, reporting injustices, being with
your friends, your laughter, your zest for life, I could go on and on.
You have grown up right before our very eyes, and we plan to hang on
to the richness of the wonderful memories and joy that you have
brought into our lives. Hugs and kisses sent ahead, Daddy
loves you and misses you.

A Suggestion Regarding the Viewing.

For those planning to attend Melanie’s viewing, it has been suggested that at many people as possible should try to go to the earlier viewing tomorrow instead of the later one. The concern would be the amount of people likely to come during the evening viewing.
Mel’s obituary can be accessed here>   NewszapDE

Thanks, Rob for the family.

Remembering Melanie.

This is Rob.

Thanks so much to all of you for your kind words of consolation and concern for the family. All of you have contributed so much in helping to bear their burden and loss. As they move through the grieving process, your prayers will continue to be very much needed.
Now begins the time of remembering Melanie. Going through many pictures through the past few years, I found a few I would like to post here. A slide show DVD is being prepared and will likely be displayed during the viewing and/or funeral.
If any of you would prefer to send cards through the mail, please follow the link on the right margin of this page under “Links” that says “Mailing Address”.
More pics will likely be added to these or in a separate post.

The family. taken in ‘04 (Mel in the back row all the way on right)

With cousin Conrad…

With cousin Casey.

With great grandmother Spry.

With mom-mom..

Go Mel! He will never catch you!

Melanie has been healed. Updated 8:00 p.m.

Update 9:00 p.m.>Those wishing to mail their condolences click here for address
~Ben

We don’t know what to say but thought we should tell all of you that
Melanie took her last breath this morning around 11:30. Seconds after
her breathing stopped, I looked into her eyes and saw a peaceful look
of release from pain and suffering. We believe that she was waiting
for a new adventure, one that has taken her far past all the trappings
we feel here. Once when we were coming home from the hospital, we were
looking at a very nice house when she made this comment, “My mansion
is gonna be nicer than that!”–Her wishes for a bigger house than what
we have here, have finally come true–she is probably arranging things
now–Above all, it is with tremendous gratitude that we have
absolutely no question where she is right now, a reassuring feeling to
know beyond a shadow of a doubt that she was ready to meet her Jesus,
and still for the past 8 months has taught us how to really live–our
home will never be the same, many wonderful memories which continue to
cause many tears–it still feels like a dream, and yet I know that one
day I will be able to see her again, hold her in my arms, and hear her
sing and play the piano, watch her run with a new body–eyebrows,
eyelashes, and brand new hair–may I never forget the gift God has
graced our home with for 13 years–may I learn the life lessons Mel
will continue to teach me—

Marty Lori & family
Arrangements are pretty certain—Viewing at Central Mennonite Church,
220 West Denneys Road, Dover, DE
Tuesday, February
26 2 – 4 pm, 6 – 9 pm
–Funeral services
will be at Calvary Baptist Church, Forrest Avenue ( Route 8 )
Wednesday,
February 27 11:00 am with a viewing one hour prior to the service

Burial will be at Central Mennonite Church

Melanie has been healed.

I was asked to post that Melanie passed away this morning around 11:30 a.m.

Please keep the family in your prayers as they grieve the loss of a beloved daughter and sister.

While we are greatly saddened by the loss of Melanie we rest in the assurance that she is in the care of her Lord and Savior.

-Uncle Ben for the family

Address For Sending Condolences

Marty & Lori Miller
236 Central Church Rd.
Dover, DE 19904

Sunday Morning.

We stayed with Mel and the family over night. Mel’s breathing continues to be rather labored and sometimes shallow. She continues on oxygen and her urine output is very minimal. We really don’t expect her to hold on too much longer. Thanks so much for your interest and continued prayer support. I really believe it is helping to carry the family through this most difficult time.
Rob for the family.

Macy (the family dog) loyally lays at Mel’s feet…

Please Pray

 Lori just called and said Melanie is having difficulty breathing. They have her on oxygen. Your prayers are much needed and appreciated.

Rob for the family.

Friday night

This is Rob and Naomi updating.  We were over to see Marty’s tonight.  Mel seemed uncomfortable. It seemed when I first went to her to say hi she started sorta sighing or crying.  She wasn’t that way the whole night though, at other times she seemed to rest.  Its hard to know what position feels good to her so they try to prop her up with different pillows but it didn’t seem to  always help her pain. Its always hard to know how much pain med to give her to keep her comfortable yet coherent enough to communicate.

Another prayer request you can add to your list is Lori’s Aunt Susie.  She is facing her own serious health situation with cancer.

Lets continue to lift Marty and Lori up that they would not become discouraged.

A picture from tonight.

Tuesday Afternoon

Thanks for your patience. It is so good to be home again with a
routine. Melanie had to have platelets and red cells yesterday at
BayHealth here in Dover. The folks at A.I., BayHealth, and Hospice did
a great job coordinating the transfusions. It is no small feat and we
thank them so much. Mel’s tummy is rather swollen and her intestinal
tract is not functioning at this point. When we arrived home Thurs.
nite, the table was all set with goblets and such along with a great
meal. Friday nite special friends brought a wonderful meal also. We
are so blessed to have such caring friends and family surrounding us.
We’ve received so many cards and thoughtful expressions of love, we
feel so inadequate to be able to convey our thanks. Mel likes to pull
at her tubing which makes for a nervous nights rest. She is still a
bit confused and emotional, but we feel she is comfortable. We are
supported by a loving Heavenly Father who Knows and sees.

Love, Marty and Lori