By Alton Buland

Wednesday, December 6, 2006

Grace Lutheran Church

Fort Worth, Texas 
 

First of all, my sister Khim and I would like to thank everyone for being here.  It’s awing how thoughtful and kind people have been to us this week.  People around the world have opened up their hearts – and their ovens to us.  My family is so grateful for your thoughts, your prayers, and your casseroles.  I know Melisse would have loved all the food. 
 

This world wasn’t large enough to hold my little sister, so I don’t know how I can say anything meaningful about her in so few minutes.   
 

The other day, Melisse’s old boss, really, one of her best friends, Glenn Lawson, who was such an inspiration to her, called her an “outside girl.”  I’d never heard the phrase before, but it describes her perfectly.  She couldn’t be cooped up or kept indoors.  She was too curious about the world, so sharp and adventurous.  She had to find out things for herself and get into trouble doing it. 
 

My mom showed me a photo yesterday of me reading to Melisse when she was two.  Her eyes are wide and brown and have this spark that never left them.  She inherited all of my books when I moved to Washington, and after she gobbled them up, she founded her own little library.  She would read anything, and thought deeper and more about the world than I ever did.  I am going to miss all the conversations I never had with her, and hold so dear the ones I was lucky to have. 
 

Melisse would take long drives and roadtrips, like one adventure to New Mexico with her friend Alex that I know turned a few of my mom’s hairs gray, to try and clear her head of the confusion and hurt and fill it with nature’s wonder and peace. 
 

I know Melisse is filled with peace and wonder now – certainly at all the people who came here today to show their love for her and for us.  She loved you all, too, and she still does. 
 

Oh, Melisse, we just miss you so much.  Mom, dad, me, Khim, your family, your friends; everyone.  But we know we’ll see you again someday.  God take care of her until then.