Help for the Lipani Family

It is with great sadness and a broken heart that I ask for your prayers and help for Chris, Melissa and Grace Lipani.  

As many of you know Melissa has been fighting breast cancer for four years.  She has lived life to the fullest during this time, enjoying what means the most to her. She never once backed down from any challenge that she faced, and she really was the toughest girl I have ever known.  She was a fighter. Unfortunately, Melissa passed away early this morning.

As I sit trying to translate my thoughts into paragraphs, I realize that there just aren't enough words to describe what this family means to me and to so many others.  They have given selflessly to me many times, even when their own lives seemed to be crumbling around them.  Melissa has shown me what it means to be a loyal, non-judgemental, honest, supportive  friend. We have laughed, cried, and even argued with eachother, but there was never a question in my mind that she would be there for me in an instant if I needed it.  She has treated my children as her own, and the connection they had with her is immeasurable.  This connection is not unique to my children, as Melissa had a gift for making every child feel that they are one of a kind.  She has countless family memebers and friends who think the world of her.

As you can imagine, this is an extremely difficult time for Chris, Grace and their family.  If you are able, we are asking for your help to assist the family with the expenses that they will incur in the coming months.