Love for Heather Melton

Heather Melton is one of the sweetest, most genuine, happiest people I have ever met. Her kids are great...I mean that, they really are great, well rounded children. Her dad is kind and sweet and generous as well. I met Heather when our now 18 year old children were just tiny. When her oldest daughter and my oldest son were often in the same elementary class I was the room mother and she would be one of the best parents to ever reach out to, always there with a smile, always available for anything I needed, usually in her scrubs, always donating anything that was asked. (It's not easy to get parents to help when you are a room mother) When I mentioned that my stepson had been walking a little bit funny she just calmly said "why don't you just bring him in let me do an x-ray?" This was around 2007. Turns out there was nothing really wrong with my stepson except he had an extra long spine which was not an uncommon phenomenon. Point being, Heather truly cares about every single person she meets. When our kids were little and first starting soccer I used to sit next to her sometimes and she just has this infectious smile... even if you're in a bad mood and you sit next to her she's so beautiful and her smile and her positive warm demeanor will instantly cause you to feel at ease. Our kids have been playimg soccer together now aboit 15 years...I went through a divorce and I remember seeing Heather one day after feeling like my whole world was collapsing and everyone in my circle of acquaintances was judging me. She just hugged me and told me everything will be okay just always love your children first make sure they are your priority. I did not know at the time that she too was going through a similar situation. We have not seen a lot of each other in recent years only at school events and soccer. I wave and she waves but one thing I noticed as of recent years is just how happy she looks. She's always been a beautiful girl with a beautiful smile and sparkly eyes but the happiness that has radiated off of her of recent years I have never been able to compare that to anything. I have never seen that before not on her not on any other person I've ever met. One time, I was in the ER with a relative and Sonny was our nurse. I did not know him except I knew that he and Heather had gotten quite close. The warmth that you could feel from his eyes and his smile was something that seemed familiar to me and then I realized it was the exact same thing I had been noticing in Heather. He truly and genuinely was 100% happy not just happy, joyous about life. You could tell even as he went about his work day that being in love sustained him, it gave him a sparkle, it fed him, it was the most fun thing he had probably ever done and you could tell and you would be envious of it if you saw it. I could go on and keep continuing to tell you not only about my experiences with this family, with her son and my son being buddies as they got older and with the experiences I have had in my lifetime with her sweet father (also an orthopedic surgeon. I also could tell you about waking up Monday morning and finding out about this awful news and how hard it has impacted me since. But I'm sure you are all too well aware with similar emotions and with understanding the fact that Sonny Melton died at the hands of a monster, while using his body to shield his bride. As I type this, tears are streaming down my face. Sonny did not die alone, Heather stopped, bent down, tried to save him, and screamed for help. There were bullets flying past her head. It is a miracle that she survived. I wanted to start a campaign to help raise money for Heather and her 3 children. Because I do not want money to be something that she has to worry about, on top of everything else that she is up against at this moment. I do not want the pressure of going back to work to be on her mind. I do not want the stress of wondering how many bills are piling up. These funds will go to Heather to use for bills, food, anything she needs. After I type this and choose photos, Heather will be the only person who can access these funds.So please, please donate and share. Thank you from the bottom of this friend's heart.