MeLisa Dawn, was born on January 25, 1983. Due to unfortunate circumstances she ended up in the car of Gwinnett County DEFAC's at a very young age. Dawn spent the majority of her life in foster care going from one home to the next, trying to find "her place" or "where she belonged". Fortunately, in 1997, God saw fit to bless me as he sent Dawn into my life.

After being in an unwanted situation for so long, Dawn built up a wall, a resistance to love; yet she would do any and everything just for a moment of attention. The system taught Dawn to be a parent herself. She made her own rules and decisions in order to survive years of abuse, rejection, and loneliness. By the time she came into our home, she was beyond her 14 years and very skeptical of anyone who acted as though they cared.

It took a moment before Dawn truly became a part of the family. It took a while for me to rid myself of my selfish ways and truly open my heart to this God given gift. We had more rocky times than good, but all were memorable and I wouldn't trade my time with her for the world. How honored I am that God saw me fit to feed into her, to teach her and to help her grow into the beautiful the beautiful young woman that she was. How honored I am that I was able to know her, under her, and LOVE her. Alight it was but for a moment, it's a moment I will never forget.

I gained legal custody of Dawn in March 2000. She was finally out of the system. She was my daughter, a part of me forever, so I thought.

Dawn was killed just one month later. She was the driver and at fault in this horrible accident. She made the bad choice of driving without a license, and without experience. Two of the three girls in the car perished that day. The third teen was in a coma for weeks, but survived, and now lives a normal life.

I bore the guilt of Dawn dying along in the horrible accident. I did everything I could to protect her from being alone, yet that is how she died. I understand now that God was there and it was a moment of true happiness for her.

I'll never forget the 50 plus teenagers that came for salvation at her home going service. She will never know how many lives she touched. She was sent here to touch and teach as she went in and out of the lives of so many.

I couldn't understand why God would take her when her life was just beginning. When she finally belonged, when she finally had a home. But, I understand now that I was her final mission. God had to show me how to love unconditionally through her.

I'll always remember the first day she walked through the door. I'll always remember her laugh and her smile. I'll remember her tears and the pain she bore. I'll remember her defiant spirit, her tenacity, and self-will. I'll always remember her wit, her generosity, and forgiving heart.

Dawn I know you are truly at home now, but you have many, many homes in the hearts of those you left behind. In your short, difficult life you made a difference. If to no one else, to me! You taught me so much about myself and taught my family the real meaning of love.

Many of us never realize how selfish we are. We are so content, that we could never fathom the idea of taking on someone else's problems. That's just too much to ask. There are so many children out there in need of love. I am so glad that my daughter did not leave this earth without receiving and knowing true love. I pray that by reading this, you will open your heart and your home to one of the many homeless, abandoned, or abused children in our world today. If just one person does, her death will not be in vain. There is a song that says it all "What about the children"?

I love you Dawn and I miss you so much!