Melvin

is one of the best people I know! He is my co-worker, friend, confidant, gambling buddy, drinking buddy and an all around nice man. Many years ago, myself and several other co-workers traveled to Palau to stay and visit with his beautiful and friendly family. No matter what type of person you are, his whole family would welcome you into their family! Mel is a great tour guide and historian and his stories captivate you and also has you splitting your sides from laughing too much. We traveled by boat on a two hour sun beating ride across crystal aqua blue waters to Peleliu, his grandmother Wenty's island. All I can say about her and the island...beautiful and majestic! As I think about all these wonderful thoughts of my good friend Melvin, who is in a hospital ICU, it's like an old friend coming to visit. I'm not a stranger to ICU's. My mother was there once while in her 50's. My father at some point in his life but I was too young to visit. It is here that my friend, Melvin is currently. A pneumonia infection had reached into his lungs compiled on top of an alcohol addiction to Vodka has caused him to be here. If is weren't for good friends he may not be here today. This is one battle he is fighting for his young 44 year old life. He has been in ICU for two weeks now overcoming hurdles one by one. Along with the demons of alcoholism and the malignant spirit that it brings along. Luckily for Mel, his sisters are here and many of his friends. While he is on the road to a slow recovery, the real journey will begin when he returns home, behind closed doors and out of reach from any family, friends or doctors. Pray for Melvin, pray for recovery, pray for his spirit in the hopes to realize that he does make a difference in this world.