Mom

Melissa Elena Olson-Lindsey was 46 years old on the day she passed. She is survived by her husband Frank Vernon Lindsey and 4 children; John, Audra, Frank, and David. In her last moments, she was told how loved she was by her husband, children, family and friends.

Mom, your personality was unmistakable; every single person you came in contact with, you treated with affection and love. Your noble outlook on life was a testament to your character. You were always a lighthouse in this dark world, reaching as far as possible to make strangers and loved ones alike feel welcome in whichever situation presented itself.

You had a tough life, Mom. You were in and out of Foster Homes as a child, and yet you still found it within yourself to not be jaded, to look at life through the eyes of one who believes that they will not be another statistic, that they will not let their past be the ruler of their future.

You fell in love with my father, Frank Vernon Lindsey. Together, you raised 4 beautiful children; John Lindsey, my big brother. I know you're proud of him, as all of us are. He's grown into a man who garners respect from his peers. Audra Lindsey, my loving and sweet older sister. She has grown into a beautiful woman who is taking the world at large, living to show the world that she has, within her, the ability to be whatever she chooses. Frank Vernon Lindsey, Jr., my brother and best friend; He has grown into a man you were proud to tell the world you raised. I fondly remember you telling your friends and through conversations with strangers how proud you are of your son who is in the Marine Corps. Finally, you raised me, Mom. I was your youngest. You were my rock growing up. You were the sentinel guarding me from the hurt and pain that awaited me out in the world.

You taught me Nobility, through your actions; even in the most dire of situations, you would not hesitate to give someone a helping hand. You gave me a thirst for knowledge, and curiosity. You taught me to be proud of who I am, and not to be ashamed to show the world my true colors. You taught me to think on my own, to question life and everything under the sun. I know what it means to be truly loved, unconditionally, thanks to you. I could be purple and 15 feet tall, and I would be happy in the knowledge that you loved me. I am proud to say I am a man, thanks to you. I am gentle, mom. I know how to love. I know compassion and nobility. I know beauty and wonder. I will not fail you. I am going to change this world, for the better. I will let strangers know they look beautiful, I will wish random people a happy day. I will help strangers out if they are going through a hardship. You are truly a beacon for the betterment of our broken society.

Your husband, Frank Lindsey, loves you, regardless of the things in your past. He was your partner in life, and love. Together, you defied the world as we know it, staying together all of these years even when society was not on your side. The two of you took vows, to love each other and share a life, no matter what happens. He was there with you through your last moments, showing you the love he felt and still feels.

It was your wish to travel, and you were a pursuer of the mysterious. Although you were never able to pick up and leave, never fear; you will always be with me as I take on the world and show them what it means to carry the name Lindsey. I am proud of you, Mom. Your love was given freely and it was something to be envious of. Some people may have taken advantage of that, but they can no longer hurt you. You are free from the bonds that govern our bodies.

I remember when you took in strangers from the street to give them a roof over their heads, even when it barely covered ours.
I remember conversations with your passengers who loved you to death, and fondly commented on what a beautiful person you are.
I remember coming home with a skinned knee, and you making it better in the way only mothers could.
I remember laying on your chest as you softly sang me to sleep.
I remember feeling like the world at large was mine for the taking as you proudly watched my siblings and I grow into ourselves.
I remember feeling invincible when you had your arms wrapped around me, protecting me from the monsters that haunted my sleep.
I remember, and I shall never forget.

The famous pacifist, Mahatma Ghandi, once said “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” You achieved this more beautifully than I could imagine. No matter what comment someone had about you, and about the way you freely spoke with people full of compassion and nobility, you were always open for more. It didn't matter what they had to say, in the sense that it made you a stronger person. I can never recreate the feeling I had when you told me you were proud of me. When you let me know your were happy of the man I had become. You were never afraid to speak your mind, and you were always quick to tell my siblings and I how loved we are. Without doubt, we had a few rough patches growing up, but we don't hold anything against you. We are all human, and we all have flaws. While I could not wrap my 11 year old mind around it at the time, and I was ungrateful at times, I will never forget the true bonding I felt when you, Audra, Frank, and myself were living in a van for a month. Going to sleep next to you with the ground below us and the stars above us, I was content. I will never forget your love.

You are immortal. You are the essence of the human spirit. You are what it means to be a Human. You are inside of me. You are inside of Dad, John, Audra, Frank, Lexi. You are inside of your brother Jack, and your sister Gabriel. You are the Sun, the Moon, and the Galaxy. As you once were, you shall now become; A part of the universe. I vow, as David Allen Lindsey, to never forget your voice, to never forget the way you would sing with abandon, to never forget the way you loved unconditionally.

I will love you, always.