I don’t know if you’ve heard yet. Our friend, colleague, and brainchild of the book, Dr. Melanie Sage, passed away on May 15th in Mexico following complications from surgery. Her husband, Todd and her family just finished an impossible week of getting Melanie home to the States. Four days in an ICU in Mexico came with costs that Todd and his family did not see coming. They had to work with an attorney to bring Melanie home to the States.
I wanted to reach out personally because Melanie mattered to me, and I imagine she mattered to you, too.
In partnership with Todd, we have set up a GoFundMe to help cover the costs of her care and bringing her home. Here is the link: GoFundMe for Dr. Melanie Sage
If you can give, please do. If you can share it, that matters just as much.
As for what comes next: Melanie was a simple, loving person and did not want a big funeral. She told Todd in the ICU that she wanted to be cremated and have her ashes spread in some of her favorite places, and that she wanted a celebration of life instead of a service.
She had one specific request for that celebration. She wanted everyone who loved her to write her a poem. Write about her, about you, and about the two of you together, whatever you want to say to her. You can email the poem to wesocialworkllc@gmail.com. We will be posting them (with your permission) on the WeSocialWork website. Please also feel free to share a photo of you and Melanie to accompany your poem.
Todd knows many of her friends live far away and may not be able to attend the celebration of life in person. If that is your situation, please feel free to mail or email your poem to me, or simply keep it close to yourself as your own way of remembering her.
Please share this information with others as you can and want.
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✴︎ Melanie Sage