My Father’s Heart – Rev. Melvin Meade
by Natalie Meade
My father was known as Reverend Meade, Rev., Mr. Meade, Melvin, Mel… but to me he was (and will forever in my heart) be called DADDY. Sometimes it is not until you get older that you understand the magnitude of a parent’s existence and time. My daddy did so much for my siblings and me. We wanted for absolutely nothing. When there were ball games, school concerts, dance recitals and events, he was there. During the summer, he and my mother made sure to schedule memorable family vacations and on holidays, we traveled to see extended family members. When I went to Virginia Union University in Richmond for college, my dad rarely missed a special event. My father was all about his family and I never doubted his presence in my life for special moments. However, now that I am an adult, I realize how much of a sacrifice my dad made for us.
Not only was my daddy family oriented, he was community oriented. He loved his hometown, Aliquippa, PA and the Greater Pittsburgh region. My father was a school administrator for the Aliquippa School District and pastor of Holy Institutional Missionary Baptist Church. He served on school boards, community and faith-based committees and organizations, led associations, and was a change maker. He never met a stranger and spoke to everyone that crossed his path. When someone needed to speak or meet with him or if they needed anything, my dad made himself available.
My dad was committed to his family and his community. To this day, I continuously and proudly hear about the impact he made on his former students, colleagues, community members, family, and friends.
On March 27, 2001, my father died after a lengthy illness. Although it was 18 years ago, at times it feels like his passing happened just yesterday. I had my father in my life for 22 short years. I miss him dearly, but I am so amazingly blessed to call Reverend Meade, Rev., Mr. Meade, Melvin, Mel…my DADDY.
A silent warrior. Making life your work for others.
To love is to live and you lived to serve with love — by thinking and creating.
Even on the final day of physical existence, you crossed over making the cipher of life 360 degrees.
Relinquishing your body to join the ancestral realm sitting on the throne of 24 elders.
Awarded for your clean mind, body, and spirit, they welcomed you back to the Divine.