March 23
rd – normally a very special day in our
household. A day I have celebrated with Mel for the last 22 years. March 23
rd
is Mel’s birthday. Today I remember many of those celebrations.
Last year we enjoyed the sand and gorgeous beaches of the
Dominican Republic with good friends. The year before, a family trip to Puerto
Aventuras, Mexico and swimming with the dolphins. Other celebrations included a
Jets game and dinner, a day at the spa, a weekend away, and of course many
parties with friends and family. I have included some pictures of these
memories.
This year however, March 23rd isn’t the same.
It’s not the day of celebration that I would have hoped for. Despite the
sadness that today brings it is still a special day. Today is the day that my
dear wife Mel would have turned 40! Oh how I had hoped to be able to plan the
biggest and best 40th birthday party ever for her. Of course Mel
would have never wanted a big party. She loved planning parties
for others but feared the potential surprise that her milestone birthdays could
bring. I know her heavenly celebration happens daily, and that gives me a sense
of peace but there is still a huge part of me wishing I could celebrate here on
earth with her today.
Mel, today on what would have been your 40th
birthday, I celebrate the 39 plus years you invested in others. I celebrate the
impact you had on so many – the many students you taught and changed forever,
the colleagues you encouraged and supported, the friends you genuinely cared
for and loved, our family for whom you were the glue. Also the many
people who you didn’t really know, the people who got to know you through your
professional and personal reputation, your speaking engagements and your blog. Through the Lord's prompting, your desire to share your faith and your story will continue to impact others more than we might ever know.
I celebrate the unconditional love you showed me and the girls. You always gave of yourself unselfishly. You have instilled such a precious
gift in Kira and Teagan that they don’t even fully appreciate yet. You showed
them how to live for Him. You taught them about priorities and what’s really
important. You taught them how to treat others. You taught them to use the
gifts they’ve been blessed with everyday. You taught them to invest in others
over themselves. You taught them how to love and be loved. You taught them what
a healthy marriage looks like. You taught them to rely on Him no matter what
life’s circumstances bring upon them. You even taught them how to die well.
These are all things that were also very evident to me and that I learned from
you. We will never forget them and certainly never forget you.
Today we celebrate that you made this world a better place
because of your complete reliance on Him and your desire to put God first in
absolutely every part of your life.
Love you so much and miss you tremendously Mel!
Happy 40th!
Love, Darryl
Today I would also like to share some exciting news with
you. Over the last months I have felt the Lord nudging me out of my comfort
zone, urging me to bring one of Mel’s dreams to completion. As many of you are
aware she detailed her cancer journey through this blog. She had a deep desire
to publish this in book form but wasn’t given the time or energy to complete
her dream. With the help of many people this dream is coming closer to being a
reality. We are well on our way to having this book available. I trust that
this book will help, teach, encourage and challenge others in their faith and
also be a guide to those who may encounter a similar life situation.
