Today is the anniversary of Melodina's birth. Last year, just three weeks after her death, we marked Melodina's eighteenth birthday with a celebration of her life. Hundred's of people attended the celebration and thousands of dollars were raised for the Sick Kids foundation, the largest funder of research into cures for childhood diseases in Canada. It was a memorable occasion and our family remains grateful for the support shown each of us and the wonderful generosity both of spirit and finances that is a lasting tribute and memory of the wonderful soul who was Melodina.
This year people who were close to Melodina remembered her birthday in their own ways. Some quietly, others verbally and many with some suitable activity. I went skiing as did Indira, Carter and Hannah. We will enjoy a piece of chocolate cake with neighbours this evening. May of Melodina's friends wrote on her Facebook wall. Harmony has kept Melodina's Facebook page open and from time to time people leave her messages or share something they wish with her in that way. My point is we remember, each in our own way, and the inspiration that was Melodina's signature in life lives on.
I tend to stress the incredible suffering, positive attitude, will power and other attributes that Melodina exhibited in Himalayan ways during her illness. As a parent, perhaps I didn't see the extraordinary effect she had on others throughout her life. Both parent and peers have reminded us how she often befriended those who were lonely and branded as uncool or worse. We have heard numerous stories of how Melodina could encourage the best in people without ever being judgemental or critical. A school music teacher from grades six, seven and eight, before Mel got sick, keeps a picture of her on the classroom piano and uses it to introduce Melodina's story excite students with the possibility of doing their best and achieving their goals.
Melodina received the 2009 Spirit Award from the Sick Kids Foundation. A plaque honouring her is in the main hallway at the hospital. The Sick Kid's Foundation became an important part of Melodina's life. She was inspired by the work they do and Mel's determination to help the foundation in any way she could inspired the staff of the Foundation. There has been over twenty thousand dollars raised in Melodina's name and the donations keep coming in. Some people give monthly, others yearly and many when they are inspired to do so. If you feel you would like to remember Melodina in this way donations can made at www.melodinatribute.org
This year people who were close to Melodina remembered her birthday in their own ways. Some quietly, others verbally and many with some suitable activity. I went skiing as did Indira, Carter and Hannah. We will enjoy a piece of chocolate cake with neighbours this evening. May of Melodina's friends wrote on her Facebook wall. Harmony has kept Melodina's Facebook page open and from time to time people leave her messages or share something they wish with her in that way. My point is we remember, each in our own way, and the inspiration that was Melodina's signature in life lives on.
I tend to stress the incredible suffering, positive attitude, will power and other attributes that Melodina exhibited in Himalayan ways during her illness. As a parent, perhaps I didn't see the extraordinary effect she had on others throughout her life. Both parent and peers have reminded us how she often befriended those who were lonely and branded as uncool or worse. We have heard numerous stories of how Melodina could encourage the best in people without ever being judgemental or critical. A school music teacher from grades six, seven and eight, before Mel got sick, keeps a picture of her on the classroom piano and uses it to introduce Melodina's story excite students with the possibility of doing their best and achieving their goals.
Melodina received the 2009 Spirit Award from the Sick Kids Foundation. A plaque honouring her is in the main hallway at the hospital. The Sick Kid's Foundation became an important part of Melodina's life. She was inspired by the work they do and Mel's determination to help the foundation in any way she could inspired the staff of the Foundation. There has been over twenty thousand dollars raised in Melodina's name and the donations keep coming in. Some people give monthly, others yearly and many when they are inspired to do so. If you feel you would like to remember Melodina in this way donations can made at www.melodinatribute.org
1 comment:
James and Indira,
It was so nice to run into you guys the other day. I had to send you a note and let you know I have been thinking of you all (and especially Mel) lately as I watch the olympics. I wish she could be here to watch with us, I would have loved to hear her take on the difficult courses the skiers have had. I hope you are all well.
Ashley
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