It is finished. My mom passed away yesterday after a 13-month battle with stomach cancer. Our family gathered around her bedside as she peacefully passed from this life to the next.
My life will never be the same again but I'm so happy to know her physical pain and heartache have come to an end. I can only imagine the happy reunion she had with my sister. Here is a clip of a video we made for her for Christmas. It reminds me of what she was like before the cancer, the way I want to remember her. It would take me too long and make me too weepy to tell you all the reasons why my mom was amazing but after you watch this clip I think you'll get an idea of what it was like growing up in my family. I think our family is closer than most and it's because of my Mom that my sisters (and brother) are my best friends. May her legacy of faith live on through generations.
My life will never be the same again but I'm so happy to know her physical pain and heartache have come to an end. I can only imagine the happy reunion she had with my sister. Here is a clip of a video we made for her for Christmas. It reminds me of what she was like before the cancer, the way I want to remember her. It would take me too long and make me too weepy to tell you all the reasons why my mom was amazing but after you watch this clip I think you'll get an idea of what it was like growing up in my family. I think our family is closer than most and it's because of my Mom that my sisters (and brother) are my best friends. May her legacy of faith live on through generations.
Melanie-
ReplyDeleteI am so impressed by the faith of you and your family after losing such a wonderful mother. I can't imagine the heartache you felt having to watch her suffer and lose the battle from cancer. I too am sure the reunion with her and Lindsey was a joyous one. Please know there are many prayers for you as you endure the emotions of losing your mom. I am so grateful for your faith and strong testimony. Your family has endured so much with the loss of Lindsey and your mom but you still stay strong and share your faith with others. We are strengthened by you. We love and miss you guys so much. Give the boys hugs from us as they have also lost their grandma. Thanks for being such great friends.
Love from Spain!
Nick here.
ReplyDeleteI hope you know how much you continue to touch all of our lives. Your faith and perseverance are examples to us all. Someday we will understand better why hard things happen to such good people. I know no better people than you and your family. Thank you for your amazing examples. You will never know how many of us will remember the strength and faith you have shown when it is our turn to go through our own trials. Prayers are being said for you all over the world!
What a beautiful video, Melanie! Thanks so much for sharing it. I'm sitting here just bawling. What a wonderful legacy your mom has left. I'm so sorry for your loss...for your family's loss. We will be praying for your comfort. *HUGS*
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute. We are thinking of you and your family.
ReplyDeleteMel, the video was beautiful. I smiled at the "she's a boy" sign and then found myself crying at the end. What a beautiful legacy your mother has left, but it must be lonely and painful to have her gone. I am so very sorry. I will be praying mightily for you and your sisters and dad. Know that you are an example of faith and love to me...
ReplyDeleteMel,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear about your mom. She was an amazing woman. The movie was beautiful. A friend from my ward here in Texas called today to tell me that your mom had passed away. We started talking about how strong your family is and that great faith that you all have! You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. We love you!
Hugs and prayers to you Mel.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for your loss- We can't even begin to imagine what you and your family are going through. Thank you for being such an example & inspiration to us all...
ReplyDeleteMel-
ReplyDeleteI want to send you my love and hope. Thanks for the great example. You have been a missionary through your blog by showing others how to handle trials with faith.
-Mollie
Your family is so inspiring. thanks for sharing the video...it was beautiful! We're so sorry for your loss, and at the same time so grateful for the gospel in all our lives. Hugs and prayers,
ReplyDeleteEric and Heidi
Your family is amazing. As I keep producing girls I keep wondering how to make them as close as you and your sisters are. I remember being so jealous whenever April had a super cute new shirt on and then to find out it was a shirt a sister had let her borrow. Now I see it's not just because you were sisters that you were able to be so close it's also because of your mom. Good luck this week and know that we are praying for you and so wish I could be there to give you all a great big hug. Thank you for sharing this experience with us.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing that with us. What a beautiful tribute. I wish I could have known your mom and your sister. You have been so calm and peaceful through all of this. What an example of faith and bravery through heartache and trails. Thanks for giving me perspective. We love you and your family and continue to pray for you. God bless. Love, Lindsay and boys
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for your loss. My heart weeps for you.
ReplyDeletefantastic! I can't wait to see the whole thing. you guys are amazing. Can't wait to see you again and meet the newest addition
ReplyDeleteMel,
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for your loss. You have an incredible family! I think if you can create a family where family means the most, you have everything. Your mom's legacy will live on. It already is. You are an incredible mother. Again I know I said this before but I want to thank you for sharing your unwavering faith and strength. I've needed it this past year, and your words have helped me pull through those tough times. Your in our prayers!
Melanie,
ReplyDeleteWe are so sorry, and yet so happy that she is free from her pain, and finally reunited with Lindsey. We are praying for all of you.
Love, the Schofields
What a beautiful tribute. I know your Mom's legacy lives on. She's a part of who you are and the reason you are the person you are today.
ReplyDeleteWe are thinking of you and your family and praying for you all.
With heartfelt sympathy,
The Kasuske's
Melanie! I am sooo sorry for your families loss! My heart aches for you. Families are forever, what peace of mind that brings even though we miss them tremendously when they leave us here on earth! Huggs to you from North Carolina!
ReplyDeleteI admire how strong you are. You have such strength and courage and I look to you as an example. Our prayers are with you and your family at this time. I recently had my Grandmother pass away who was very close to me. I know it is not the same but I only hope I have the strength you do during trials in my life. It was so great getting to know you in Okinawa. I will always remember your generosity and kindness towards me and my family.
ReplyDeleteMel and Randy, We have been following your blog for quite some time. Mel, I am very sorry to hear about your mom. I am glad you could be there with her in those last few hours. We are thinking of you and your family at this time. Our prayers are with you. Someday we will have to get together.
ReplyDeleteLove, Robbie and Courtney Wayment
Melanie,
ReplyDeleteI am one of Lindsey's friends and I have been following your blog for a little while, watching your family go through ups and downs. What great examples!!! My prayers go out to you and your whole family through this time. Your Mom was always such a great example to me and so many others! Thank you for sharing both her and Lindsey with us! Keep holding on! We will all be together with our families someday for eternity! What a blessing that will be!
There is so much to be said and yet I can't seem to find the words for any of it. Thank you for sharing that video with us, it's so wonderful to see more about your mother and how she influenced so many lives. I wasn't the least bit surprised to hear so many people talk of the impact she had on them because you are just like her. Her legacy and goodness will certainly live on as it radiates through everything you do. When the time is right and you are ready we look forward to your return when you can show us more pictures of your mom and tell us more about her life. In the meantime, please let me know if there is anything I can do for you here to make it easier to be away. And you know I really mean ANYTHING! I wish I could be there for the funeral services, I am sure they will be beautiful and I would love to hear more stories about her life. I hope you will share them with us too. Our thoughts and prayers are with you always.
ReplyDeleteOur thoughts are prayers are with you and your family. We love you guys and we are here for you.
ReplyDeleteMel--what an awesome video! It's encouraging to see a wonderful thing come out of something so miserable... I know you'll be supported by Christ through all of it... Hugs and prayers from us to you!
ReplyDeleteMy heart hurts for you and your family. May you find peace in the coming days, weeks, and years.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about you and your family this week. I hope you feel strength from all the love and prayers sent your way.
ReplyDelete