By Rachel (Tripp) Rutledge

I met Melissa in the 3rd grade when I moved to Illinois from GA. From then until now, she has not been only my friend, but more like my sister. She called herself Aunt Melissa to my kids and always told Ashton that I was Aunt Rachel. I could take hours up here telling you funny Melissa stories and sharing memories of her. I'll try to limit what I say, but there are a few points that can't go left unsaid.

Many of you remember the infamous slumber party thrown at her house in the 4th grade. I had never had so much fun in one night. Not to mention being scared to death by Gene lurking around outside. From 5th to 8th grade we spent our time together learning the clarinet, singing and going to music festivals. Melissa was so artistic; she could write and draw like no one's business not to mention her musical abilities. I remember one time during our grade school years; we were at her house doing some kind of craft project when she told me that I couldn't cut with scissors very well. She decided to take over that part of the project. No one else could have said that to me without hurting my feelings. We had some kind of unwritten love between us; those kinds of things just didn't get in our way.

We grew up at each other's houses just as if they were our own, wherever you saw her I was usually tagging along and vice versa. My mom would get so mad every time she went to the freezer looking for a frozen burrito to warm up; they were Melissa's favorites and she always snagged them up before anyone else could have a chance.

Melissa was hilarious, and she loved to share her humor with others. I loved to hear her laugh and she loved to make me laugh, which she did a very good job at. She would make up these characters and distort her face while wearing those awful glasses that were way too big for her. I literally had to fight to be able to breathe during those moments.

One day, she and Mesha were riding bikes down the road in front of my house, down the steep hill. Mesha somehow lost control of her bike and went flying into the big evergreen that was in my front yard. I don't even think I was home at the time, but from what I've heard over the years, that tree saved her life.

Some of the most memorable times with Melissa were in high school band practice. Of course we were late every morning because she made me go through Hardees's drive thru every day to get a sausage biscuit and a cherry coke. I absolutely hated being late! Then she got that big boat of a car, I don't even know what kind it was, but it had these slick plastic like leather seats and we'd jam out to Motley Crew and Twister Sister slipping and sliding on those seats. And speaking of band practice, just for the record… I know I was the one given the awful nickname because of the hairspray in my band locker, but truth be told, I was just the supplier, everyone including Melissa depended on me and my hairspray to get them through the rest of the day.

I will never forget Halloween of our junior year. We spent hours getting ready for school that morning. Melissa was Dracula and I guess I was the wife of Dracula. She did my makeup and I did hers. All day at school no one knew who she was, not even her dad. It was the most awesome costumes we had ever pulled off.

It seemed like I was always 2nd best compared to Melissa. She was always 1st chair clarinet, I was 2nd. In vocal competitions, she always shined a little brighter. She was stronger academically and excelled in sports unlike me. But none of those things ever mattered to me. There were no jealousies between us; we truly loved each other as only best friends could. She was my rock and I was hers.

I remember one night when I drove her to the train station so she could run away from home (sorry about that Gene)…. I cared so much for her that I was willing to help even if it meant I'd get in trouble later.

Melissa cared for everyone and never met a stranger. She knew more people than I could ever keep up with. She say to me, "remember so and so?" And I'd say no, then she'd have to explain to me who they were, and how I knew them so I could make connections. Her mind and memory were like steel traps. Even in the last several years if we were somewhere together all I had to do was look over at her and she'd know without me having to ask that I needed help with their name. Without her beside me, please forgive me if I can't remember your name.

I remember the morning in April of our senior year when my mom called home as I was getting ready for school. She said, "Rachel, there was a fire at the Reiman's house and I'm not sure who but one of the girls didn't make it." I didn't even have the strength to hang up the phone; I just left it dangling by the cord and ran out the door. When I arrived and saw Melissa I ran to her as we fell to the ground hugging and crying. I was glad to be by her side as we grieved over Melanie.

I could go on and on sharing memories and thoughts of Melissa. But I want to conclude with the growth I saw in her over the past couple of years. Melissa has always been a believer in God. But like most people, there were times in her life when she strayed from the Truth and followed the ways of the world instead. She and I had many conversations over the past couple of years about life, death, and where we would go upon death. I can assure you that Melissa had accepted Jesus as her personal Savior. I know she is in heaven today praising and worshipping like we can only imagine from our position on earth. There were several years where she and I would argue about what was important in life, material things, job opportunities, career advances, money, etc. At times she would became frustrated with me as I tried to explain to her that I didn't really care about those things anymore. I have been a teacher for 10 years; and the pay I receive is nothing to brag about. I also spend a lot of time with my children doing things that don't amount much to anyone, except to them. Sometimes months went by when Melissa and I didn't see eye to eye on things that were important to us. However, in the past couple of years that changed. She began to realize the preciousness of life and time when Ashton was born. She loved and cared for Ashton so much, her world began to revolve around him. Her wants and needs were no longer important, but only what was best for Ashton. Her view of life and its purpose took on a new meaning. I can say that she has left us with complete love in her heart for her son, friends, and family. She had truly embraced life and kept full hope for healing until the very end. She never gave up on her battle; she never quit fighting.

Our last conversations occurred while she was the hospital trying to recover from surgery due to a broken hip. The last time I spoke with her was at about 6:00am one morning. She couldn't sleep and wanted to talk. I feared from the frailty of her voice, that she was growing weaker and weaker and may not be able to hold on much longer. She told me that she wasn't ready to die, that she wanted to get out of there, get better and to celebrate her 40th birthday the way it should be celebrated. All I knew to do was to cry with her and to tell her how sorry I was. I have prayed for years for God to heal her completely and to give her her life back. This I know as true, even though we may not agree with the way our prayers are answered, He has indeed given her full healing and He has given complete and abundant life to her; a life in heaven that is pain free and perfect. I know I will see her again someday, and I can't wait for the laughs and the good times we will have together. We were best of friends through good times and bad times for 32 years! I love you, Melissa.