Update From "Uncle" David - 5/19/2009

Dear Friends,

On the road home tonight the light turned red at the corner of Campus and University approaching UCI. Sitting on the bridge over the Santa Ana creek there is a momentary respite watching the water fowl play in the placid waters of the creek. You can almost hear the deep throated chirping of the bullfrogs, except for the air conditioner, the country music station playing Willie Nelson, and the intrusion of the white van pulling up on the right side of my car.

A square faced, jutting jawed and cheeky smile of a Chinese man resting his chin on the door frame starring in my direction jolted me back to reality. It was my friend Michael Yu, and his 15 year old Melodie with a Cheshire grin waiving at me. Behind them, a wheel chair was bolted into the middle row: Melissa was waiving as if with pom-poms to get the attention of her "Uncle David."

They were on their way home from an acupuncture appointment after a full day of high school classes. Next it was gas for the van, feed the kids, then off to Awana Girls Club at the church. Life seemed almost normal.

The light turned green and a waft of fresh cool air blew through the window, along with wonder and amazement at the events of the last year and a half.

On the evening of Good Friday, 2008, Melissa Yu was struck with the first of two grotesquely debilitating brain aneurisms. That evening, life changed forever in the Yu family. The doctors said she would not live. Michael and Marlene clutched steadfastly to their faith and hope that God would bring their daughter back to them. Every minute of every day, Michael and Marlene were at the her bedside, never flinching, never failing in their belief. Not only has Melissa recovered, she returned to her high school classes in mid-March, 2009.

Life has seemingly returned to normal at the Yu household. Except that Melissa's bedroom is now in the family room just off the dining room and next to the kitchen. It is the only room in the house large enough for the hospital style bed and medical equipment necessary for Melissa. It is also the social and emotional center of life for the Yu family now. Not only is it Melissa's bedroom it is still the family room with the big screen TV and X-Box for everyone to come and play, including Melissa.

Each morning after washing her face and arms, Melissa wheels herself to the breakfast table, feeds herself and talks to her sisters. Bah-BAH then piles everyone in the van, locks the wheel chair into place and its off to school. At the end of classes Melissa clamors for more. She loves school and her friends.

In the evening, Melissa demands that she help with dinner, and sets the table from her wheel chair. I spoke to her in Chinese, and she immediately responded in English. If you Listen intently you can discern through her slurred speech that she is quick, bright and articulate.

Doctor Louden calls Melissa his miracle girl. There are many miracles of which to tell, not the least of which is the steadfast love and devotion the Yu family has for each other.

Thank you for your prayers and concern for Melissa and the Yu family over the last year and a half. Please continue to pray for them as the next stage of their new journey unfolds.

- David Hosmer