MELISSA

By Shari Warren

Melissa Lynn Warren: Born, September 26, 1979.

She was the fourth of our four children. I was in shock to find that I was pregnant after just four months after my last baby was born. Thinking about doing that again so soon was very upsetting. I went to the doctors and took my vitamins but I just couldn't believe this was happening. Plus money was so tight.

My prgnancy was normal with no problems.

I went into labor at 7:45 p.m. and had her at 10:00. My easiest, fastest birth yet. The doctor put her in my arms and quickly took her away to be cleaned up. So now we were a family of six.

A few hours went by and she was brought

in for my first real look at her. She was asleep and so tiny. Only 5 lbs. even. I unwrapped her, looked her all over, and wrapped her up again. She woke up and looked up at me. What a tiny, pretty little face. Suddenly I felt this rush of love fill me completely. I have never felt such love! Probably because it came upon me all in one second. How could I not have wanted this precious gift? I just sat and looked at that little face for hours. I was completely happy.

From the very first week I could tell this

little girl danced to a different drummer. She was just different from my other babies. Melissa grew to be a quiet, shy little girl. She looked like a pixie with fair skin, blue eyes and blonde hair. She whispered when she talked. It was so funny!

As she grew she developed this off-beat

personality. She got much louder and would entertain us with these characters she would make up. She would wear costumes and make-up and stay in that character for hours.

In school Melissa struggled with her studies.

I worked with her but math was so hard for her. Her whole life she would just look at us when we would tell her to do something. Then she would get in trouble for not doing what she was told. One day I gave her some instructions and she started to cry saying it was just too much for her to remember. Even three things would throw her. We had her tested and found she was mildly dyslexic. All these years, if only we had known. She said "Knowing what she had would have made her life easier". Plus her I.Q. tested way above average, so her self esteem shot way up.

Not only was her I.Q. high but she is talented

as well. She is an artist and writes poetry. Plus in the last six months she has taken up the guitar and seems to be a natural. She is wise beyond her years. So caring and loving for everyones feelings. I am so proud of her! There just aren't many people like her. She even saved a friends life by getting doctors to a friend, 2700 miles away, when she wasn't making sense. It wasn't long before a "thank you for saving my life" note came.

God gave me Melissa because I think he knew

I would need her. She is my daughter, my counselor and my true friend. She has taught me the true meaning of love. I am so happy I had her and that she's a big part of my life.

**LEARN A LITTLE ABOUT ME**

SHARI WARREN "MOM"