My Female Hero

This blog has been long over due. Grab a diet Coke, get a comfortable chair and set back to read this blog because it is going to be long. For sometime now I’ve been mentally writing this blog in my head trying to figure out exactly what I wanted to say and how I would say it. I would like to tell you about a wonderful woman that I love more than life itself.

MY DAUGHTER - MELISSA LYNN HUNSAKER KLEINER

Why would it take me so long to tell you about someone whom I love and admire so much? Because my feelings about her are dear, sweet, sacred and emotional for me to express. I fell in love with her the moment I finally heard the doctor say, “your pregnant!” We had been waiting and waiting, for seven years to hear those words. I guess it wasn’t a fertility problem that I was experiencing but that our Heavenly Father had a separation issue. I cannot imagine how emotional it must have been for Him to let her go, but I am honored and blessed beyond words for his sweet decision to bring her into our home and allow me the privilege to be her mother. I cherish her and love her so very much.
Since she was a little girl Melissa has exhibited many character traits. She is funny, talented, athletic, stubborn, compassionate, loving and loyal. She can make me laugh and cry instantly over anything. I guess what really started me thinking of this blog was her recent amazing goal she is working towards. She isn’t one of those people who just goes through life being bored or doing boring things. She is always a blur of activity.

About the first of the year she started telling me how she wanted to run in an “Ultra Marathon”. I didn’t know what that was, but I did know that it had something to do with running, something she is very compassionate about. Since elementary school Melissa has found a love for running and she is good at it. In Junior High and High School you could find her involved in track and she started running 5K and 10K races.
She excelled in City Track meets and I know she hates to talk about this, but in High School she won the title of “2nd in the Nation in Weightlifting”, in her weight category, something she started just to help her be more fit and get out of the blocks faster. She has continued after High School and during her college experience to compete in various marathons. She ran and did very well recently in a ½ marathon. While some of us get married and fall into the “expanding waistline” syndrome (me), Melissa is just the opposite. Again, she is running and competing and getting excellent times. I’m ashamed to say that I have not witnessed all of these most recent wonderful accomplishments of hers, but that doesn’t mean I’m not proud. I have even tried running so that I could have something in common with her and so I could be the “cool mom”, but my attempts are pathetic (Saturday’s experience is an example). I want to be in shape and look sensational, but I will not get there by running – surgery maybe, but running, no.

So now we are about 1 month away from the Pine Valley, California Noble Canyon Ultra Marathon and I am starting to get nervous and excited. Melissa has been training ever since she first mentioned to me that she would like to do it the first of the year. How many of us can say we’re going to do something and then actually do it, especially when it comes to any form of exercise or a fitness program? Not me – I’m terrible at it. In case you didn’t know, a Marathon is 26.2 miles and an Ultra Marathon is approximately 32.9 miles . . . ugh my body just went into a spasm as I typed that. She is the youngest registered to run and she and my niece, Rachel Stewart, are the only runners from Arizona. She is determined and I know come Saturday, September 27th she is going to do it and I’m going to be there screaming and cheering her on!

Are you thinking this is the only talent this young woman has? Well if you are you are totally wrong. She has many. Have you heard her sing? Oh my gosh – she has the most beautiful voice. She has perfect pitch. When she sings you literally become mesmerized. She isn’t the kind that brags about it either. You won’t find her showing off or flaunting this talent. I just wish she would sing in public more.

She is very funny. When she starts to talk in her “Happy Jack” voice everyone starts to crack up. She is hilarious – seriously. She gets into character and I swear she could win any comic contest. She cracks me up. She is one very funny woman.

She is the best sister. She has been such a great example to her younger brother in everything she has said and done around him. I know he admires her a great deal. She has always loved him and shown him complete respect. Those two have never and I mean never fought. Can you say that about your brother or sister? They have never been mad at each other or raised their voices to each other. They are true friends. What a blessing that has been as a parent to know that my children love each other.

She is extremely patriotic. She is proud to be a Republican and I truly believe she feels if there were no Democratics in the world we would be better off. She studies the issues before casting her vote. She knows more about the candidate than maybe they even know about themselves. She is knowledgeable about it and she is not afraid to tell you her opinion – just ask her.

This is most important to me . . . she loves the Lord. I do not know exactly when she was able to discover her own testimony and not rely on Doug’s, or mine but I do know that once she did she has never, ever wavered. I have heard her bear her testimony and it is a sweet and strong one. She knows that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true and that she is grateful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She fell in love with a gentle giant of a man, Aaron, who also has a strong testimony and who honors his Priesthood and her. I love him dearly.
I love you Melissa! There is so much more I could say and more cute pictures that I could post. I know that I have been very blessed to have been chosen to be your mother. I haven’t done the best at my job at times, but I’m glad you have been understanding and loving through it all. I am so proud of you and for all of your many, many accomplishments and the boatload of ones to come. You have done more in your young life than most people can say they have done their entire life. I admire you so very much.
I LOVE YOU!!