Memories of Markelle

I believe that when Markelle closed her eyes to me, she opened them to the Lord!!!

It is so big for me when I think of Markelle and all that her 10 years were about.
First I think of how beautiful she was and the love of life that she had. Then I think of the strength she had from the very beginning. She fought hard to live and did it longer than anyone ever thought possible.

Markelle loved Mikalie and wanted more than anything to be just like her. She loved the babies in our family… She loved to play with them and even trained Gage to act like a dog and he would bite everyone but her. Markelle loved her people! Her people that never thought twice about walking the rough road with us…

She was stinkin funny! She was able to talk smack and was cute enough about it that she didn’t get in trouble. She made jokes and really she was funny… oh and the quirky things that she loved. I loved to see her laugh and when she would crack her own self up she would laugh from the bottom of her belly and her nose would flare :-) I miss her smile and laugh...

She loved art. We were the “Art Project Queens”! When she was in the hospital we would do project after project. Her room was covered in her great art. She painted, cut, drew, colored, collaged, did that plastic cross stitch stuff and painted some more... The many buckets of stuff we did and still she wanted more to do. Then while we waited for more supplies, if we ran out in an evening or on Sunday, she would just cut up the styrofoam cups. The bags we would take home of art projects were endless and then at home came nothing less than more art, only at home Mikalie could share in the fun and I could be relieved of some of the participation.

She loved school and to write math problems and correct them and then do more.

She loved to eat alcohol swabs, Yuck!… and nothing more really needs to be said. Months of potato salad, apples dipped in peanut butter and chips with cheese were probably top on the list of the all time favorite foods after transplant. Pre-transplant she really was just a condiment eater.  We got funny looks when we ordered a side of sour cream when we were out to eat.

Big baths and swimming…She had the perfect bikini belly too! Our last talk was about swimming with the dolphins in Hawaii when she got better. I like to think that is what she dreamed of when she did not wake up again.

Charmed, E. R., Roseanne, A Baby Story and The Cosby Show are just a few on the list of favorite shows that she watched.

This is just a few of the things that she loved and helped make her who she was. There were so many things that she really loved… It was easy to appreciate the things that she loved and those days when we knew that they were eventually going to end.

Markelle loved with all of her heart. She never expected anything in return just that she be able to love. The very last words she spoke was that she loved me... And I know that she did.

Our Funny Valentine!!

Click here to view these pictures larger

It's been 4 years since we've seen our precious Markelle...  Here are some "rarely" seen pics for your enjoyment. 

To Markelle:

We miss you more every day, it's hard to believe it's been 4 years, we will never forget you!!

Love, Your Family

Happy Birthday!!

Happy Birthday Beautiful Girl!!

You have inspired us and changed our lives.  We miss you with every breath we take.  Our memories of you are precious and invaluable.  You will forever be in our hearts!!

Thinking of you today.....  Your Family.

Markelle's Gift

People may not remember exactly what you did, or what you said, …but they will always remember how you made them feel.

(Markelle's 10th Birthday, 12/16/05) 

 

As most of you already know, each year our family chooses to take on a unique service project in honor of Markelle and her December 16th birthday and Christmas. It's been our way of continuing to give what we can to Markelle and to keep our holiday focused on what we have and are capable of doing rather than what we have lost.

If you are reading this you probably knew Markelle, or maybe you met us after Markelle was gone, in which case you have probably heard her story. We would like ask you to take a second and try to remember how you felt after just visiting with Markelle or hearing about her. If you are like us,  We visited Markelle as often as possible just to get our cup full... Let's face it, most of us never went to the hospital for her, or for Heidi, it was for us, because being with Markelle made us feel amazing. Witnessing her fight and her passion for life, seeing her try to have as much fun as possible when she obviously felt lousy was purely inspirational. We'll confess that we drank from Markelle's fountain and it made us feel like a better people.. It's one of the things we miss most and one of the reasons we love our yearly service project in her name. We get to attempt to recreate the feeling we felt when we spent time with Markelle. In addition, we keep her memories fresh and keep her part of our family tradition.

Now, part of our family is in Oregon. A lot of Markelle's people and our family and friends are in Utah. We have friends and family who live in Washington, Idaho, Texas and Ohio. Life changes, we are growing and spreading out. So after giving much thought to how we can collectively share in Markelle's gift, we came up with a new idea. We propose that each person think of one word to describe how Markelle made you feel, and then take some time to come up with a family, or individual, project to try to make someone in need feel that same way. We would love to post your story here for everyone to share, with pictures and feedback on how your project made you feel. We would love to see the unique ways in which we were all inspired by Markelle and the creative way you choose to express it.

You can see what we've decided to do in our posts below.  Please send us an e-mail with your story.  We would love to hear about it and even see pictures of what you do.  Send emails to markellefrei@comcast.net. We will get it posted right away.

We are aware that this service project comes very close to Christmas, which is a natural time of charity and helping others. This is not meant to be a contest or to see who can do the most, it's not intended to take the place of what you would normally do with your family or church and does not have to be monetary at all. Helping the children of a single mother with reading and homework is every bit as impressive as giving a large sum of money to her... We are simply asking that you pay forward the wonderful way Markelle made you feel and then share it with us. If along the way you inspire someone to see the miracle of the season, then the amazing gift she left for us will have true meaning. 

With love and all the blessings of the season,


Heidi and Allie

God gives us the opportunity to know him, he stands at the door and knocks, it's up to us to let him.  

The Dodd's Gift

Markelle was a precious Gift from God and, being her Mom, I received many gifts. The greatest gift Markelle could have ever given me is my faith; faith in the Lord that gave her to bless my life and the many people that she touched in her short ten years. It is that faith that allows me to wake up and give everyday all that I have and it is that faith which moved me to Oregon. That same faith also collided my world with my wonderful husband's world. To all of this, I thank God for entrusting me to be Markelle's mom because she was the path that led me to Him. This year our family has decided to buy 100, $1 Bibles from our church to allow those who do not have the many gifts that we do, to find their faith... I will write a letter with each Bible telling those who receive our gift that they to can thank the Lord for Markelle.

Allie, Steve and Jesse

While we were recently in Salt Lake City, we made a last minute decision to stop at the Target and fill a basket of toys for the kids that will be spending Christmas at Primary Children's Hospital.  We picked out toys that we though Markelle would have liked, we even got some games and PJ's.  We took them up to the hospital and dropped them off.  It was  a great feeling to be doing something to help the kids on Markelle's ICS unit.  I will be smiling on Christmas morning thinking about the Bop It Jesse picked out making some child very happy, and a nurse very crazy... 


Steve and I  have chosen to not exchange gifts with each other at all. We will take that money and fill the wishes of two children who's Christmas needs are posted on a giving tree. We chose this because Markelle made us feel blessed and we would like to bless someone else in her name.  We picked a 14 year old girl and got some new shoes and a CD player.  We wrapped the presents and took them to our chruch and put them under the tree.  It was great and especially wonderful to see how many gifts there were under that tree.  There are really so many giving hearts in the world.

Jesse says that Markelle made him feel happy, so he would like to make cupcakes and take them to our neighbors because that will make them very happy.

Jesse loved baking his cupcakes.  I was basically only on "germ" duty making sure his fingers got washed after he dipped...  He did the rest and did a great job staying focused on his duties and LOVED every second of making his cupcakes.  Part of the deal was that he had to think of a plan, pay for it, do the work and then make the deliveries.  He counted all his money, took it to the store and turned it over to the checkout gal with pleasure.  I was very proud of him.  I think his favorite part was making the deliveries...  well, maybe second after licking the batter.  He choose red velvet cupcakes, so you can see from the pictures how red the batter was...  He had a good time and it gave us a great opportunity to talk about Markelle and heaven and Christmas and all that this season is really about.  It was a blessing and I believe a real  learning experience for Jess.

This was a great experience for our whole family and I loved being a part of each others giving experience.  We miss Markelle everyday, but this time of year is especially difficult given her birthday and the holidays.  This is a great way to stay connected and keeping us focused on the real meaning of Christmas.  God Bless and may heavens greatest blessing be with you in the new year.

Karen Roylance

Dear Opal:

Happiest of Birthdays to you! I pray for a year filled with joy for you and your family. I would like to take a moment to tell you about a story of a remarkable girl. Markelle Frei was a special girl who touched my life with joy. Markelle brought many people joy when she arrived from heaven on December 16, 1995, and with her passing on earth, she brought joy to those in heaven on February 10, 2006.
Markelle brought joy to all those who knew her and I would like to extend this joy to your family. To celebrate the joy that Markelle continues to bring, enclosed is an annual pass for you and your family to enjoy the Utah Hogle Zoo for the coming year.
Please enjoy this gift and whenever your hearts feels joy during your visits there, know that this joy started with Markelle and is reflected through the special way about her and how she spread joy to all those who knew her. Her joy is now passed on to you and your family in her memory.
With Love and joy,
Your friend,

markelle

In memory of your sweet Markelle, Barry and I took advantage of an opportunity through his work to help some homeless folks.  We purchased hats, socks, long underwear and gloves and donated them through an organization that helps the homeless.  I wish I had the privilege of getting to know Markelle.  However, I can see the ways that she has influenced so many, including you.  Sometimes it is those who walk on this earthly sod the shortest that effect us the most.  Thanks for  offering us the opportunity to do a small thing in her name.  It is a great way to keep her memory alive and honor the God that she loved.

Love,

Sue and Barry