Melissa Bernard's Journey...to Heaven

July 16, 2007 marked the end of a journey that I really had prayed would not come. Melissa Bernard, after eight months of a tremendously fought battle, died from anal cancer. She left an adoring husband, four adorable children and and extended list of family and friends.

I'm not exactly sure when I really got to know Melissa. Must have been the first few years we started attending Cedar Creek. I recognized her husband, Brian, because I had dated his brother in high school. I instantly remembered her to be a bubbly, energetic, fun-loving woman. People just wanted to be around her. My first personal memory of her was in 2004 when she was in charge of crafts for VBS. It was the first--and last--time I had led DJ's group, and I was simply astounded at what she had planned for those kids. Maybe elementary school kids were capable enough to give paint to, but three year olds??!! I could hardly imagine the mess they were going to make, but it was obvious that Melissa had no concerns for that whatsoever. The music was blaring, and she was dancing around with a paper bag hat on her head. And I came home with what is one of my treasured crafts that DJ has done. And why? Because his precious three year old hands painted that pillow. She brought out a creativity in him that I never dreamed would have existed. Just a month later, she and Brenda Klein organized and led the crafts area at our very first Girlfriends Night.

Last summer, I was communicating with Brian and Melissa to try and find his brother's contact information. They sent me an email telling me that he was in prison, married four times and had five children, who's names all rhymed except the fifth who was adopted. They even put a mailing address for a prison in Georgia, which I spent a great deal of time trying to track Chris down, because all of that information is public knowledge. It was the next day or so that they confessed it was an elaborate story, but they had me hook, line and sinker. They were still laughing on that Sunday when I ran into them.

Even as I type this, I still cannot believe that she is gone. The loss I feel is exascerbated by the loss I feel for Brian and the kids and her close friends and family. It is obvious in reading the posts on her website (set up by sister in law Vicki for family and friends to communicate with Melissa during treatments in Birmingham--it's in the links list) that she was loved by so many people. Her impact on this earth will certainly be felt into eternity.