Melissa McLay -- March 11, 1984 to September 22, 2002

August 08 | Airport Hugs
Mom and Melissa drove with me to Fairbanks just before classes at the University started my freshman year. They somewhat helped me unpack and get settled in, and then took a flight back home. When I hugged Melissa before she got on the plane, we were both crying very hard and didn’t want to let go. It was the first time I had ever had to say goodbye to her.

For her spring break in 2002 she flew up to Fairbanks to bum around with us for the week. Her hair got dyed, her back got tattooed, and we had a blast playing in the ice park. At the airport before she left, we giggled and put fake signs on closets. The hug was happy and brief.

I drove to Anchorage to see her off to Minnesota last September. It was 4am; she and Carrie had tried to get some sleep before we had to drive to the airport (Mom was even able to stay awake most of the night). Melissa was still a bit sleepy and very apprehensive about getting on the plane, though she would have never admitted it. The hug was firm and I struggled to hold back tears.
Remembered by Valette | 11:51am

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please note: the dates for all comments posted before january 8, 2004 are incorrect.

Comments

I still think it would have been better to just stay awake until we got on the plane, then sleep...oh well, I guess.(I still blame myself for what happened...oh well, I guess.)