Get to know me

Dear Reader,

Thank you for taking the time to be here. Melissa Le Biavant here who at one time was known as Melissa West. I’m here to share these stories and life lessons because it’s a fun and creative way for me to stay connected with you. I’d like to share a story that my father has told me often over the years. All that I share is true to how it was told. Storytelling is one of my favorite parts of this complicated life. And so it begins. 

I was in my 3rd year of life (Melissa West) and it was lunch with my father and grandmother where I fell into my natural self. We were at Denny’s in Pacifica, California, on the corner of Highway 1 and Linda Mar Boulevard. We sat in a booth and like most children I couldn’t resist the temptation to look over at the people sitting behind us. This afternoon it happened to be an older woman. She was alone and not friendly. My father and grandmother continued to ask me to turn around and I continued to ignore their request and smile at the dissatisfied lady. She scowled and complained and I eventually turned around and ate my food. When my dad went to pay the check, my grandmother went to the bathroom, leaving me free to administer my quest for a new friendship. I strutted over to the aged human. At that moment, my father realized I was unsupervised and ran to me in fear of what I would do next. According to him I had just learned to spit and he was certain that was my next move. As my grandmother exited the bathroom and my father hurried to my side they both witnessed my 3 year old finger inviting the sad woman closer to my face. She abided and came closer to me and I gave her a hug. The two dumb struck adults watched me in my first moments of seeing human sadness or fear or dissatisfaction and my wanting to nurture it. 

I’m not sure why I have this urge to help but when I’m offered an opportunity to do so, I dive right in without too much thought. I myself have lived a very privileged life but it didn’t come without its challenges. Such is Life. 

I believe that challenge and how it’s handled defines us as humans. It’s certainly what has defined me. Humanity and humility deserve to understand each other. 

My mission is to be here to help. To offer support to those who may even in their best moments struggle with this ever changing, fast pace world.

I believe that if we can be available in a way that benefits the one in need and allows the one in service to be in need, then both have succeeded. And isn’t that to be the hopeful American Dream? 

“Why am I trying to become what I don’t want to be...when all I want is out there, waiting for me the minute I say I know who I am.” -Arthur Miller, Death of Salesman

Signing off for today with love and hope,

Melissa Le Biavant