Melissa Smillie

♥ Our Little Princess ♥

Melissa Smillie

4.5.96 - 15.1.08


»-(¯`v´¯)-» Precious Daughter & Loving Sister »-(¯`v´¯)-»

'Imagine.... being locked in your own body.
Imagine.... not being able to speak, walk on your own, see or swallow, while still having cognitive
abilities and thoughts.

Imagine....waking everyday and experiencing the sensation of losing the use of a finger, toe, limb
at a pace that shuts down your entire body within weeks.

Imagine....you are trapped, without hope or without a lifeline to the outside world around you'.


Now imagine....you are Nine years old


Melissa was a beautiful baby, and was always smiling, she had such a good nature.When Melissa was
about 1 year old,she used to love dancing to the Spice Girls, we have her on camcorder when it was
her big sisters birthday dancing to the Spice Girls, she was so adorable.I remember one time when we
were on holiday in Blackpool, Melissa was sleeping in her buggy and they played music at the
Pleasure Beach, well the Spice Girls song came on and Melissa woke up all excited, it was
commical.When Melissa started Nursery she hated it,she always wanted me to stay with her, but when
she was four she settled in well.Melissa liked school, she loved joining in with all the activities
and was a popular child at school,she was a fast learner and a very helpful pupil.Melissa also liked
the Robins, going swimming, ice-skating and going to the cinema.When Melissa was eight she went from
the Robins to the Brownies, which she enjoyed very much.Melissa also liked to play out after school
with her best friend, but sometimes she just preferred to stay in the house with me and her dad.When
Jamie-Lee was born Melissa was so happy, she wanted me to take Jamie-Lee to school to show her off,
she was so happy to be a big sister. Melissa used to love colouring in pictures and her pictures
had to be perfect,if it was out the line she would start again.


Melissa's life changed when she was nine and was diagnosed with a Brain Tumor.We couldn't believe
it. From that day onward it was like we were living a nightmare. Melissa was always such a healthy
child, very rarely was she ever off school, it was too much for us to take in.In the days and weeks
that followed after Melissa's operation to remove the tumor, Melissa had to learn to do the things
that we take for granted all over again, sitting up, eating, drinking, talking and eventually
walking.She had a left sided weakness and the nerves were damaged on the left side of her face,
which meant when she smiled only the right side would move, a small price to pay for the brain
surgeon saving her life we thought.The surgeon said that she could have plastic surgery when she was
older.

Melissa worked so hard especially at her walking, she was so proud of herself and we were all very
proud of her, she never complained. Melissa became friends with Katie whoom we met at prestwick
house on holiday, she had a brain tumor just like Melissa. Melissa was Katie's inspiration.Katie
adored Melissa's nails and wanted nails just like hers and couldn't wait for her hair to grow again
like Melissa's.


Melissa went back too school part-time the eventually full-time, all she wanted was to be normal and
treated normal but that wasn't to be, she was mentally bullied by a pupil in her class leaving
Melissa with more or less one friend but that one friend was a true friend to Melissa, a few of the
boys were friendlier to Melissa than the girls. The biggest reason for Melissa returning to school
was for Melissa to be with her friends to interact socially as she had been off for so long, not to
be treated as she was. Looking back in Heinsight i wish i had kept her with me and her dad.
In November 2007 Melissa became unwell and that was when the tumor came back, we couldn't believe it
,just when she was doing so well. The surgeon told us when Melissa had the tumor removed that there
was a high chance that the tumor would come back and that it would take her life, and he was right,
but we always thought and prayed different.
Melissa was the perfect daughter and always will be our special little girl.

♥ ♥
Melissa fought so hard through her illness for over two years (she was diagnosed in oct '05 aged 9
with a brain tumour). To us, she was the most courageous girl ever! To have gone through so much at
such a young age, we are so proud of her. Melissa never ever once complained even when we knew she
was in a lot of pain. She would do anything to delight those of whom she cared for and to put a
smile on someones face.

Melissa loved her family very much and would always be telling us that she loved us. She would play
with little sis Jamie-lee with dolls or polly pockets and never complained that she was too old for
it!! She also enjoyed going to the swing parks and pushing Jamie-Lee on the swings. She loved to get
Dad to run about after her to get her things and she would also send him to the shop with a list for
her favourite sweets and crisps. Mum and Melissa enjoyed spending their Saturday nights together by
watching some Casualty, followed by a film and picnic (full of sweets and crisps) and Mel also loved
to spend Mums money! Bis sister Kirsty loved painting Melissa's long lovely nails and they enjoyed
having a sing and dance up in her room together to their favourite songs!

Melissa enjoyed shopping trips where she would buy more and more tops to add to her collection.
Whilst shopping she would enjoy her favourite. . . a Millie's Cookie!

She enjoyed listening to music - particularly McFly and the Proclaimers of whom she was lucky enough
to meet.

Mel enjoyed watching T.V such as Spongebob, Thats So Raven, Hannah Montana and Casualty and Enjoyed
many films such as Cheaper By The Dozen, A Cinderella Story, High School Musical and Are We There
Yet.

Melissa also had the opportunity to make her wish come true and be the Princess that she truly was (
Make-a-wish-foundation). Princess Melissa got to go to Culzean Castle and stay over and be a
Princess for the day -many tourists even thought she was a real Princess! She was treated like
royalty and it was truly a magical experience!

Melissa's funeral was a 'Celebration Of her Life' . Everyone wore bright colours and some wore pink
& purple Melissa's favourite colours. We arrived in a white car and the Entrance song was McFly 'Its
All About You'. Ian the celebrant did the service , his wording was perfect. Kirsty wrote a
beautiful poem about Melissa and Ian read it out. The Moment song was Take That 'Rule The World'.
Thats when everyone had their special thoughts of Melissa in silence. The leaving song was McFly
again 'I've Got You'. Jamie-lee wasn't there we felt she was too young but she wore pink and went to
her friends house. Melissa's friends let balloons go in memory of Melissa outside. Melissa was in
front of us in a beautiful white carriage with two white horses with pink & purple ribbons going to
the cemetery. There was so many people there so we were told. Everything was perfect just the way
Melissa would have wanted. Melissa was loved by everyone. She touched so many people who knew her
and also people that didn't know her. Melissa was an inspiration to us and to everyone who knew her
and didn't know her. Melissa will never be forgotten and will be in our hearts forever!

Melissa was very fond of her three special friends - Kayley, Caitlin and Katie. They also helped
Melissa through this most difficult time and showed the true meaning of friendship. Melissa Thought
a lot of you girls.

♥ ♥
Theres not a day that passes
That we don't all sit and cry.
And look to Heaven for a reason
But still we don't know why.

You were a special part of our lives
So beautiful, loving and kind.
We'll never forget the great memories
And the Joy you left behind.

'Taken from our home but not from our hearts'.


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Have a special hug x