Melanie Myers

Melanie Anne Myers passed into the arms of her Lord Jesus quickly and sweetly during a nap on Mar. 30.

She was loved beyond measure by people everywhere.

At one month of age, Melanie was a gift to us as a foster family. Instantly loved by siblings Tammy Crookall, David Burnett, Theresa Burnett, Chris Myers and Bob Myers along with Aunts and Uncles and Grandparents and cousins.

She had already survived three surgeries and meningitis. This little 7 lb fighter had an awesome God watching over her and directing her from before she was born with spina-bifida and many complications. She was made perfect in His sight.

She won the battles of many surgeries to come and never lost her love for Drs. and Nurses. Seeing Dr Welsh over the past 25 yrs was an exciting outing for her.

Her smile and laugh won everyone over, from family to strangers at the mall, she had folks smiling and feeling a little brighter for having met her.

Age 1 brought new adventures when our family moved to Port Hardy, B.C. Our new friends became family and the Fabers became Melanie's Respite family. Her world grew by another set of Parents and 3 sisters and 4 brothers. Melanie started school at 15 lbs. She kept winning hearts and surviving surgeries, flights to Children's Hospital were the norm, but no matter the time or circumstance there was always room for us at Easter Seal House, everything we needed was provided each step of the way.

The move to Abbotsford in 1995 was new territory for Melanie; new hearts to win, fresh challenges. Her TA at Chief Dan George, Julie Green, taught her to read; this turned out to be invaluable; it set Melanie free in so many ways. Mel enjoyed school but had no friends. Our family was expanding with marriages and the addition of nieces and nephews and cousins, but no friends.

Then came Laura Brodland. September 1999, Melanie made a friend at school. Laura wanted to hang out after school, colour, play with Mel. She invited her swimming and bowling and to her Birthday Party. Little did we know that this was God preparing Melanie's future. Adoption had left our family without the support we recieved as a foster family. We depended heavily on our Daughter Theresa and our boys at home, Chris and Bob. I burnt out and was unable to care for Mel. Hubby soon followed. Theresa quit her job to look after Melanie but moved to Edmonton for her husband's work.

Laura's family stepped into the Gap. What they thought would be a 4 month stay turned into 19 years of loving devotion, caring and unconditional love. Melanie now had another set of parents Auntie Dianne and Uncle Doug Brodland, sisters: Sarah, Laura, Rachel, and big brother James. For 19 years they loved her and took her on great adventures to Alaska and Disneyland and Mountain climbing. Yes, a wheelchair bound girl mountain climbing. They saw her Graduate Rick Hansen School and Start Bethesda GDS Day Program, which kept her busy in the community and engaged with dedicated folks who got her out on more adventures.

After 19 years of parenting and sharing and it was time for the Brodland family to retire. Again, God had a plan.

Melanie went to live in Bethesda's Chilcotin House. It was 2 blocks from her Original Abbotsford home. It is mangaged by a friend whom Melanie has literally known all her life and staffed by people who have a deep love connection with Melanie. Her jokes and violin playing kept them entertained and her stubborn independent attitude kept them on their toes. An Elmo Hug, nail polish, play dough and Brian Doerksen music made her happy, as did shopping.

If you wonder if you have ever come across Mel in the community, you probably did. She reached out her little hand to you at the Mall. She rolled up to you at the food court to ask how you were, and she stayed until you gave her an answer. If it wasn't a happy answer, she would want to give you a hug.

This young lady who started life alone, leaves behind a hole in the hearts of 3 sets of parents, 15 siblings, over 20 nieces and nephews, inlaw siblings and over 18 great nieces and nephews.

She leaves 3 sets of parents who love her dearly, each one grateful to have been part of her life.

Her Celebration will be held when it is safe to party again; the girl LOVES a good party

The family graveside service will be available at 4:30 pm on Tuesday, April 14 to view please visit www.dignitycanada.com/abbotsford you will also be able to revisit the video at any time.

Thank you, Lord, for our Melanie,

Patricia and Gary Myers

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the organization that has supported Melanie for many years, Bethesda Christian Association. We are so grateful for their excellent care and support for Mel since she graduated from school and giving her a loving home for the past year. To send a donation please open the link below.