This is a special prayer request for the disappearance of my wife's Niece over 22 years ago who has never been found. Although authorities have re-opened the case and once again, are unable to solve this case, the family needs you prayers for resolution so the suffering of their missing Niece, Daughter, Granddaughter and Friend and the pain that has been experienced for all these years can come to an end. On November 1 2009, the family held a candle light vigil in her honor. Below and to the left is a poem written by my wife, Melanie's Aunt. Below and to the right is the opening prayer that was given by a wonderful Reverend and friend.

                          MELANIE JO MELANSON - November 1, 1974 - October 27, 1989

                      A Time of Remembrance & Candlelight Vigil for Melanie Melanson

                                                    Sunday, November 1, 2009
                                             Woburn High School, Woburn MA.
                                         The Reverend Mary F. Bettencourt, Pastor
                                   The First Baptist Church in Woburn, Massachusetts

                                                         Opening Prayer

LET US PRAY.

Loving and Almighty God, Our Maker and Creator,
We come this afternoon to remember a young, 14-year old girl, Melanie Melanson, who has not been seen, has not been heard, and has not yet been found. We come with a sense of horror, with anger, with thought of "Where is Your justice and peace for her family and friends?"

We come with sad hearts for a life that could have been with us, but has not. We come with fear for children and youth everywhere who are  preyed upon by those who would harm another of the least of Your  children. We fear for our own children and grandchildren and our neighbors' children that they might remain safe.
 

We also come with determination that Melanie will not be forgotten.
We will not forget her smile, her love of life, her love of her family, her love of her friends, and her love of this city, her home.
We will not forget her laughter and the way in which she was on the cusp of becoming a woman who would do great things.
On this day, we come too with many questions unanswered.
"How could this happen?"  "How can we go on?"

"How do we reconcile her loss with none of Melanie's remains to put to rest?"
"How do we live with our fears and our loss?"
These are spiritual questions and questions that come with grief.

You, O God, are the only hope that we have, the One Who Sustains us and give us the promise of life eternal. In the face of devastating loss and in the lack of complete closure, Your promises can feel far away. But they are not. We want to boldly trust You, that one day, we will have answers to all our questions.

In the meantime, we look to You to hold Melanie's spirit, to bathe her with Your love,  and to hold us that we might continue to dare to love, dare to hope, and dare to believe that one day we will each know Your promise, a promise of a better place made possible by Your Son, Jesus Christ. We pray that this day will be not only a day of remembering, but also a day of thankfulness for Melanie herself, a child of God, one You created. Let Your purpose be known that there is hope and love and abundant grace for all of us, especially for those who believe in You.

Bless us now. Bless all who are working on resolving this tragedy, all who continue to mourn, and all who hope in You. We ask a special blessing upon Melanie's family here today, that our presence may sustain them in the weeks and months ahead, and that they might know that You, O God, have called us to stand in love with them. We pray this in the Name of the One You Sent, our Lord Jesus Christ. And Let all God's people say,                                                                                      Amen.

                Melanie

We never expected
when you went out that day,
your precious life
would be taken away.

The last time we saw you,
etched in our minds
your life taken from us
by hands not kind.

Sitting in the quiet
remembering your voice,
living with the hurt
because we have no choice.

You are more than just a picture                
another missing face,
you're a loved one taken  from us,
gone without a trace.

You are a Grandparents child,
a daughter, a sister,  niece,
a loving cousin and friend,
may you rest in peace.

We will continue searching,
praying for answers from above,
to find your remains,
and give you a proper burial

with love.

Not until we find you
can we slow the tears,
Dear Lord, and those who know,

please help us, it's been

twenty years.

    Auntie Mary Ann

Click here to see a page that shows both Melanie and another beautiful girl Jennifer Lynn Faye who went missing one month apart. Our family has been in touch with Jennifer’s family as we share our sorrow together.