Our Lord,

These words need not be spoken, as we know that You can hear

the pain of deepest sadness on losing one so dear.

Yet we feel the need to call upon You for an answer from on high

Why must the best among us be chosen first to die?

We all are struggling with the path that we are trudging on,

and Melanie Brown was a guiding light for us to look upon.

Her strength and her conviction, and love for the weak and small,

Gave us all hope and guidance, to scale the tormentuous wall...

Of knowing what is best to do, no matter how hard it be,

and having steadmount faith and courage in protecting family.

As a mother, friend, and woman, there could no better be

who embraced her children and her friends with unending loyalty.

Her legacy will survive her, and her spirit will live on,

In the hearts of her ten children with every waking dawn.

We humbly ask that Melanie be granted special rest,

As she has walked among us, and given us her best.

She truly was an angel lent to us for awhile,

To remind us how to believe in You to walk the hardest mile.

Give strength to all who knew her to bear the searing pain,

Until our borrowed time is over, and we know her once again.

And if we can, each one of us, reach out to one in need,

as a tribute to her memory, we'll carry on her deed.

Why must the best among us be chosen first to die?

Because she was a borrowed angel first sent from Thee on High.

Dedicated to Melanie's children, her husband, and her mother...

Linda Johnson