In Loving Memory of Melissa Evans

Cheyenne with her special grandma and grandpa

Thank You for the Memories Melissa

This moring i woke up to the song "The Dance" by Garth Brooks yes that song has a lot of meaning to it but that was one of Melissa's favorite songs. I'm sure some of you are wondering who Melissa was. I want to say sorry you never got to meet her cause she was such an amazing girl who live each day as if it was her last. Well i never even got to meet her but the stories i hear and the love my husband had for her was just amazing. Melissa was born not expected to make it out of the hospital. Well down the road he met an amazing woman Debbie who truly took Melissa under her wings and the only mom Melissa knew and ended up getting a brother and sister who truly loved her more than words can say. Melissa's life involved lots and lots of doctors each year at school saying melissa may not be with you at the end of the yr well once they got older the principal stop saying that. For those who didnt know her she was a very strong will person she was a fighter maybe cause she had the evans blood in her. By the time they were graduating HS some of the boys in her class did something at the graduation that will forever be in there hearts. They ended up lifting her wheelchair up on stage so she would be able to receive her diploma like the rest of the class. Lets just say there was no dry eyes in the gym. When Chris saw her the next yr at homecoming she was not having a real good day which wasnt unusually cause she had so much pain most of her life. But what he didnt realize that would be the last day he ever spoke to her again. One day during school God must of realized she had enough and he took her in his arms so she wouldnt hurt no more. Chris served as one of the pallbearer's at her funeral. They never dated but everyone that knows Chris knew he loved her so much. And still misses her like crazy. I really know when he misses her cause i hear so many stories about their special friendship they shared. The story doesnt end here with Melissa yes your thinking how can that be well when we were pregnant and finding out it was a girl chris made a special call to the Evans asking if we could name Cheyenne after her. Of course with open arms and tears they accepted. Well Oct 11th Cheyenne Melissa was welcomed into the world which was 9 yrs to the date Melissa past away. When we made the phone calls to Cheyennes new grandparents there was a lot of tears and joy. Our lil Cheyenne does not know how special she is to the Evans but in the future she will. Like one day i ended up calling Chey Missy when she was 18 months Chris whip around and said where did u get that. I said i dont know it just came to me and he said thats what some people use to call Melissa i told him sorry and he mentioned no i like it i havent heard it for awhile. So thats what her daddy calls her. And the funny thing is she only lets her daddy call her that. I just wish i could of met her if i was in Chris's life sooner just to say i knew her but the truth is i actually feel i already do. She was such a fighter and smiling even though she hurt she kept pushing. If i ever can be half that girl i know i have done something right. So I ask you this saturday to light a candle in memory of melissa and the life that she led. Thank You for all the wonderful years Melissa we miss you like it was just yesterday. Always in our hearts, Chris Crystal Derek Owen and Cheyenne Melissa