Melody, full Trisomy 18, recently turned 13 years old!! For that, we give thanks to God! She launched her teen years with a new car since her legs were getting too long for her Mercedes.
Melody does not speak in words, but she has used sign language for many years. Her two primary signs she uses are, “all done” and “thank you”. When she uses those signs, she is being purposeful and genuine, and it is not random. She says what she means and means what she says.
“All done” is a practical matter. “Thank you,” on the other hand, is a profound concept to communicate. It is easy to live life tied up in a knot of expectations and forget to give thanks. Melody has many physical limits in her life, yet she is generous in giving thanks. She truly is one grateful little girl.
In Anne Voskamp’s book 1,000 Gifts, she writes about the Greek word “eucharisto” which means “giving thanks”. Melody’s life is characterized by “eucharisto”.
When Melody goes to the chiropractor, she often signs “thank you” while he works on her. She loves going to see her chiropractor and all her friends at the chiropractic office!
When her myofacial practitioner works on her, she expresses “thank you” countless times! She adores Fred!
When Melody has been in the hospital, she has let us know through sign language and her sweet smile that she is “all done”. However, it typically does not escape her to also express thanks to the medical practitioners. One time Melody was in the emergency room, and she looked up at the doctor and signed, “thank you”. The doctor looked quite surprised and especially touched. It was as if no child had ever thanked her. Perhaps no child had.
In addition to thanking the people around her, she lives a life of gratitude to God. Sometimes one of her sisters will pray with her when she wakes up. Far from being a passive listener during that time, she can be found emphatically expressing thanks to God with her sign language. Think about how profound that is. A life of “eucharisto,” giving thanks. When one of her sisters plays guitar or piano and sings with her, it is not uncommon to see her giving thanks to the Lord. She worships Him with her every breath. (See video at the end of the post…)
Melody went to the nursing home recently with her siblings and friends to minister to the residents there. As you can imagine she was a sweet blessing to them.
At one point the young people were singing up front, and Melody was in the back emphatically expressing thanks as they sang praise to the Lord.
It can be endearing to spend time with a grateful child. Nancy Leigh DeMoss writes in her book Choosing Gratitude, “I’ve come to believe that few things are more becoming in a child of God than a grateful sprit.”
In an article by Ann Voskamp, she notes that giving thanks actually physiologically changes our brain, She writes, “When we express gratitude… our brain releases those “feel-good” chemicals, dopamine and serotonin, the two crucial neurotransmitters responsible for our emotions.” Additionally, “Neuroscientists can now see on brain scans that when we practice gratitude, it activates the prefrontal cortex and the anterior cingulate, regions of the brain responsible for emotional regulation, attention, and meaning-making.” It is no accident that God tells us over 150 time in the Scriptures to give thanks. He made us. He knows.
In my last update I talked about Melody’s propensity to trust. Gratitude often precedes trust. As Ann writes in her book, “Trust is the bridge from yesterday to tomorrow built with planks of thanks.”
I am thankful for little Melody and her life of praise to the One who made her. We can all learn from Melody who makes over 50 percent of all her communication an expression of “eucharisto”, giving thanks.
Psalm 107:1 “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.“
Here is a super sweet video of Melody worshipping and giving thanks!
Comments 22
Oh, thank you, Lord, for this precious child and her family. Thank you for the reminder that in every circumstance it is possible, commanded, to give thanks. Love you all! ❤️
Happy Birthday, Melody! You are such a sweet, little blessing. One can learn so much from you if they take the time. Praying you have a wonderful, healthy & blessed year ahead of you. ❤️
I love seeing these updates and seeing how well she is doing! Melody is truly a blessing! MaKenna has also been using sign for awhile. We have used this school year to focus on ASL. She has learned a lot and loves it!
Miss seeing you all, praying you guys have a great summer!
What a beautiful blessing and great reminder to continually give thanks. Melody radiates the Lord so powerfully to everyone she encounters. Happy 13th birthday to a young lady who is truly blessed with every spiritual blessing. Continue to shine brightly for the Lors, sweet Melody.
Amazing Melody. God’s perfect angel. I love how she keeps perfect timing with her percussion instrument while accompanying her sister. Way to go Hannah and Melody!
Melody, thank you for showing us God’s example of gratitude, light, and humility. You are a gift to us all. A teacher.
God’s blessings on Melody and your family resonates boldy to me!
Dear family!!!
Love to all of you!
Sweet young lady! Happy happy birthday ! Your mom forgot to mention that you also have great rhythm! Many blessings on your special day!
Such a beautiful story, and a reminder to give thanks to the Lord in ALL things! Thank you for sharing Melody with us. She is such a huge blessing to the world and to anyone who has had the opportunity to meet her. Welcome to the teen years, sweet girl! God is so faithful!
Once again this video email has a way of centering me. Melody is a powerful messenger. Thank you, Melody and your family for sharing.
O give THANKS to our LORD, for He is so good, indeed. What a privilege and a blessing it has been to be part of Melody’s life these past 13 years. We are very proud grandparents to be sure. Each family member form a united effort daily to make sure that Melody’s day is an extra special one. And Melody rewards them with her beautiful smiles in gratitude.
We LOVE you all.
Oma and Opa
What a blessing Melody and her family are!! A great reminder to give thanks to the Lord for He is Great!
Thank you, dear ones.
MaryAnn
What a sweetie our precious little Melody is…not so little anymore! Gratitude is truly the antidote for so many of our ailments. Thanks for the reminder, Melody. Love to you all.
Beautiful……. Just beautiful!!
Happy happy birthday, Melody!!! What a joy it is to see the wonders God is doing in and through you! We praise Him for you are fearfully and wonderfully made, and you praise Him genuinely. What a gift you are! We miss you and your beautiful family.
All praise to our Creator God for making Melody a grateful ambassador for Him!
What a gift to know gratitude and love the way Melody does.. she brings a smile to my face and joy to my heart just watching her
A VERY HAPPY 13th BIRTHDAY TO YOU, Melody!!
Your smile and expressions speak louder than words! You radiate God’s love and kindness and thankfulness which blesses us all! We thank God for you and the testimony you are to Jesus IN you!! We love you dearly! Much ❤️
Great Auntie Pat and Uncle Don
Happy Birthday Melody,
You have been such an inspiration and blessing to all who know of you and your beautiful story.
She is so pure and precious – a masterpiece of the Fathers Heart. How much joy she brings to Him.
How precious! I love every minute of her video.
What a blessing from the Lord!!
13 glorious years of life. How thankful I am to know Melody. It’s so good to see her smiling face!!
Thank you for sharing this lovely story. There’s sooo much to be thankful for!! Knowing Jesus and how much he loves us gives us our hope and joy for each day! Love you guys!
We are so happy to see that you are doing so well Melody ! It warms our hearts. Our best wishes from Mamou’s family