Sunday, November 29, 2020

A Tribute to My Daughter-in-Law


I have three sons and as they’ve married, we’ve also added three precious daughters to our family. Each girl is as special to us as if they’d been in our family for their entire lives. 
 

This past week we lost one of our girls in a tragic accident. 

 

Katie was our oldest son’s wife and they recently had their first child. Baby Van is only three months old. 

 

It’s been the hardest week of our lives, but it’s been precious too as we’ve pulled together as a family. Our community has lavished love on us and buried us in an avalanche of food. We’ve cried, laughed and tried to figure out how we’re going to go forward with a huge hole in our lives. 

 

Katie was our first daughter. She’s been in our lives for fourteen years. She began dating Jimmy when he graduated high school and entered the Marine Corps. She was a year behind Jimmy and spent her senior year coming to our house after school three or four days a week while he was deployed. 

 

When she and Jimmy decided to move up the wedding date her mother was in Germany and she allowed me to go with her to pick out her wedding dress. Her caring heart and infectious laughter have added so much to our family. 

 

We all miss her so much.

 

She and one of our other daughters, Weslyn (Kirk’s wife), went through their pregnancies together. Katie delivered Van first, but Weslyn followed soon after with Rivers. The boys were born two weeks and two hours apart. 

 

And eight weeks later, we added our third daughter when John married Tiffany. Now it felt like our family was complete.

 

Oh the plans we had with these new additions—from beach trips to family photo shoots. 

 

Then the accident and the unthinkable happened. We’ve learned anew that nothing in life is certain and there are no guarantees. Nothing, except the faithfulness of God—even in the midst of the unthinkable. 

 

Many of you have reached out to us and I can’t thank you enough for this outpouring of prayer and love. I’ve tried to thank you, but it’s just not possible. Death brings with it a myriad of details. There are so many things that need to be handled just when your brain is incapable of processing information. 

 

But we’ve found that’s when God steps in—using friends and family to keep you going. There have been practical boots-on-the-ground help and there has been spiritual offensive help as prayer warriors place a dome of protections and peace over us. 

 

Each of you have eased our burden by sharing it and we cannot thank you enough. 

 

I do want to let you know about one way you can help our son and grandson. In the midst of this, Jimmy has started a GoFundMe for their son Van’s college education. If you’d like to donate, we’d be honored. And if you can share the GoFundMe, that would help as well. 

 

Here’s the link to our GoFundMe for Van’s College Education.

https://gf.me/u/y92pz7

 

And thank you for allowing me to take one day to share this tragedy we have in our family. 

 

Blessings, 

Edie Melson

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59 comments:

  1. So very sorry for your loss. May the peace that surpasses all understanding be with you and your family at this time.

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  2. So sorry, Edie. I had no idea. You and your family are in my prayers.

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  3. We continue to lift your family in prayer.

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  4. Edie, my heart is broken for you and your family in this tragic loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers daily. Love you xo

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  5. A beautiful tribute to Katie and all those who love her. My love and prayers are with you.

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  6. We continue to pray for you all. Love you, friend.

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  7. So sorry, Edie. Praying for you all.

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  9. Edie, we live in a world of words, but there are no words for a tragedy like this. Our only hope in surviving a loss like this is The Word. I will continue to pray that God will wrap His mighty arms around you, cradle you to His chest, and hold you while you weep. He is present in every moment, every day, and every tear. When the darkness seems to crowd out the Light, look for Him, for He is there. We love you.

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  10. I wish I could answer all these love-filled comments. But I’ll can do is read them with grateful tears. Our family is cherishing each word. You all are the best! Thank you - E

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  11. There are no words that can soothe the pain, but The Comforter, in His silent embrace, heals the brokenness and grants peace that passes all understanding. Lifting you and your family up in prayer today and in the days ahead. Much love, my friend!

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  12. Oh, Edie. So saddened by your heartbreaking news. Prayers lifted for your entire family.

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  13. Edie, I was shocked when I heard this tragic news. My heart goes out to you and your sweet family. Prayers continue for comfort and peace now and in the future as you all face so many moments without your precious daughter-in-law. I pray that each day will bring a fresh encounter with God that brings hope into your journey through this valley of grief.

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  14. I am so sorry for your loss. Please know I will be lifting you and you’re family up to Our Lord Jesus.

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  15. Oh, Edie. My heart breaks with yours. So grateful that you have felt the love, because you and your family ARE so so loved. Continuing to pray for all of you.

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  16. Your precious family has been on our hearts and in our prayers since we heard. Such a lovely tribute. So very broken for this loss.

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  17. Edie, I am so sorry for your loss. I, too, am the mother of sons, and cherish my daughter-in-law. No words are adequate. Your family will remain in my prayers throughout this season and beyond.

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  18. Thank you for sharing your precious memories. I am praying for you all. Sending love, hugs and many prayers.

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  19. Sweet memories that I pray will comfort your hearts moving forward, along with the precious grace of Christ. Many prayers are being lifted for your family. My heart breaks with yours.

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  20. So sorry for your loss. I pray for all of you, particularly your son who must be devastated, and that poor angel who will grow motherless. What a tragedy indeed.
    But know you are not alone and the Lord has a new angel in Heaven watching over all of you.
    Nothing can replace the loss of a loved one. May the Lord's grace and consolation lift you all from this sadness.

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  21. Edie, thank Goodness we all know that Life is eternal and Love transcends space and time. May that comfort you and your precious family. We love you.
    Jay & Anne Wright; Anderson, SC

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  22. I am so sorry for you, Edie, and your family. You all are in my prayers. God bless all of you.

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  23. You have such a gift with words and this is a beautiful tribute to Katie. Continued prayers. Love you and your family!

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  24. A beautiful tribute, Edie. My heart has broken for all of you. I've prayed for all of you and will share this and the GO Fund Me pag.

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  25. I continue to pray for you, Jimmy and your family. I pray that God continues to surround all of you with His peace, comfort and love. Sharing this and the GoFundMe page.

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  26. I'm so sorry to hear this news. We have just one daughter-in-law so far, and I can only imagine the wrenching pain if anything were to happen to her. Praying for God's grace and comfort for your family.

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  27. Oh my goodness. I'm so sorry for your loss. Words cannot express it enough to your son and grandson. He won't even have memory of his mommy on his own but I know y'all will tell him all about her and show him pictures and he'll know how much his mommy loved him. Praying for all of you. I know the holidays will be difficult, but in God's strength you'll get by. XXOO

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  28. I cannot begin to imagen the pain of this tragedy. May God's grace and the prayers of his people bring you comfort and peace. Hugs and prayers for you and your family.

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  29. I'm so sorry, Edie. My sister's son died suddenly two months ago. I can't imagine the pain each of you must feel. May your many memories and God's promises carry you through this difficult time.

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  30. Edie, I cannot imagine the impact of the loss of Katie. I am so, so sorry. I wept when I heard the news. I have been and continue to pray for your family during this painful time. Sending hugs from afar.

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  31. Continuing to pray for you and your family, Edie.

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  32. Edie, I can’t imagine your hurt right now. This is such a tragic loss, and I am so very sorry for the devastation your family must be going through. I continue to pray for you often, that God will make His presence known to you in real and tangible ways, and He will comfort you in ways that only He can. Much love and prayers for your family - Julie.

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  33. Edie, my heart just aches for you and your family. Such a deep loss. I pray for the Lord’s grace and comfort as you navigate the coming days and months, and for new mercies every morning.

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  34. Edie, I am so saddened by your loss and the depth of your grief. Your beautiful tribute reveals how close your family is, and I pray the loving arms of God will wrap around you and hold you close. I will continue to keep you all in my prayers.

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  35. Edie, I’ve thought and prayed for you and the family many times since we got the news. Praying for your son. God is enough. We have a young dad in our church going through similar loss. Glad your son has lots of support.

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  36. I’m so sorry for your loss, Edie. I’m praying the Lord will encourage you and your family as you face this tragedy together. The hope of heaven is such a comfort in these difficult times.

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  37. Dear Edie, thank you for sharing your heart with us. We'd love to give you a hug, but please know we're hugging you in our hearts and we're praying that the God of all comfort continue to guide and comfort you. Katie was a beautiful young woman and I'm sure she felt loved by you and Kirk.

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  38. Praying God's comfort and care will cover you and your family with a huge tallit of His love.

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  39. I'm so very sorry for your loss. I'm praying for you and your family. May God comfort you and bring you peace.

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  40. Kaye Robinson CallawayNovember 30, 2020 at 11:12 AM

    Thank you Edie, for bringing joy into my live through your blog. Thank you Edie, for now sharing you and your family’s personal emotional pain, sharing your vulnerable heart publicly. You are all in my prayers. Thank you for glorifying God as you show his true love and even joy the midst of unexpected loss. 💖

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  41. I can't imagine this depth of loss. Praying for you all.

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  42. Edie, I've thought and prayed over you and your family constantly this last week. All I can say is the prayers will continue as Jimmy, Baby Van and the rest of your family learns this new and painful normal.

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  43. Oh, Edie. I am so sorry.

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  44. Edie, My husband and I have been praying for you and your family. We are so very sorry for the loss of your dear daughter-in-law. I am grateful to know God is present even in the darkness. We will continue to pray.

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  45. Edie, You and your family have been heavy on my heart. I've been and will continue to lift you all in prayer. Psalm 34:18 comes to mind. "He is nigh unto the broken-hearted." I love that verse. I picture Him holding each of you, rocking you tenderly, stroking your hair and whispering, "I see you and I love you."

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  46. Edie, at the Blue Ridge Conference i recall your wonderful message and how you shared the experience of your grandchildren’s births during COVID. Who would imagine the events that would ensue afterwards? I’m praying for your family through this unimaginable tragedy. Unfortunately, I’m mourning the loss of my brother who we lost suddenly this past Monday. It is a similar experience to yours but the details vary. Only Jesus can carry the burden of grief so heavy it would crush us. Thanks for sharing because somehow it does help to know a fellow believer is struggling with this sorrow BUT still trusting God.

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  47. No words. So much love to you and your family. I continue to pray for you all.

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  48. Continuing to pray for Jimmy, for Van, for all of your family ... turning every thought of you into a prayer for you.

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  49. Lifting you and your family in prayers.

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  50. Loving you and your family and praying God will continue to provide. I had only met Katie once I think but what a precious young woman. God bless you all.

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  51. I'm so sorry for your loss, Edie and family. Praying God will bring comfort and peace and an extra portion of love.

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  52. What a beautiful tribute. I'm so sorry for your loss.

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  53. Continuing to pray for you and your precious family.

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  54. Truly the unimaginable to have your darling Katie take an early journey home. There is a grand canyon-sized hole in your hearts.

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  55. Edie: Just now reading this. I am so sorry for your loss. Lean on the LORD and He will guide you through this time of uncertainty.

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  56. Edie, tears came as I read about your loss. May the Lord hold you in the hollow of His mighty hand. I am praying for you and your family during this difficult time.

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  57. Continuing to pray for peace and comfort, Edie.

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