Strong, caring, giving, open-minded, gorgeous
Non-judgmental and caring, with a great spirit, Melanie saw the glass not just half full, but all the way full, all the time. Melon, as she was known to her best friend, Ashley, “was my one true best friend, the kind that only comes around once in your entire life. Once they are gone, it’s like the part of you that was most alive is now dead with them.”
Melanie loved music, shopping, and doing her makeup and hair. Time with her two cats, Heidi and Pookie, was always a treat for Melanie. The two friends made a big deal of Christmas and Halloween each year. “Melon literally saved my not so happy household one year by buying me everything I needed for Christmas, down to the tree decorations. She didn’t miss anything. It was so surprising and generous. I know she didn’t have the money to spare.” Halloween meant matching outfits for the two friends. One year, Melon was a marvelous Wonder Woman, really pulling off the look.
Melanie was an excellent artist. She could paint, draw, do calligraphy and graffiti. She valued her sisters, Tracey and Sabrina, and another best friend, Josh. She was just starting to explore the spiritual side of her life. At the same time, things were going downhill in the last few months of her life and Melanie rarely went outside of her house.
Melanie ruined her body and had “become an empty shell of what one would think of in terms of a person,” Ashley stated. She died at a young age from the damaging effects of IV drug use. “It was a tough to watch someone you love become a complete stranger right in front of you.” Ashley said.
Ashley’s life has been affected in many ways since the experience of losing her best friend, Melon. She feels blessed that she has made it out alive especially since she has lost so many people she deeply loved because of the effects of their substance use disorder. “The odds are truly against you in this fight,” Ashley stated. “I miss Melon’s smile and our talks. I would give just about anything on the planet to talk to her just one last time.”
Melanie’s best friend, Ashley Cox, provided the information for this narrative.
April 11, 1987-December 22, 2018-Age 31
Portrait Artist: Shawn Faust
Narrative Writer: Barbara Francois
