Melanie and her husband of forty years have lived on a small, homestead nestled in rural Bibb County, Alabama for more than a quarter century. Together they raised four children, dozens of goats, sheep and chickens, along with a few horses, donkeys and assorted other livestock.  Three of their children walk the earth with them and one, Dominic, lives with Jesus.   The Lord has expanded their family with the addition of a daughter-in-love and two delightful grandsons.  Melanie spent the majority of her adult life educating her own children and others in the homeschool community, serving in various church lay ministries and teaching creation science on the family’s homestead.  Since her son, Dominic, ran ahead to Heaven in April, 2014, she has dedicated a great deal of her time and energy writing about her family’s grief journey and ministering to the bereaved parent community through her blog, touching over four million hearts with hope in daily posts.   She hosts an online support group on Facebook, an in-person support group in her area, shares on podcasts, hosts and facilitates retreats, and accepts speaking engagements when life permits.  In August, 2024, she formed Heartache and Hope, a non-profit ministry to allow others to partner with her as she serves bereaved parents, families and those who love them.  She loves reading, writing, studying Scripture, extending hospitality and having interesting and wide-ranging conversations with people from all kinds of backgrounds.