Our Bambino is Twenty Seven

She came to us on the 12th of June 1984 at 9.09 am as our first born 11 months after we were married...our honeymoon baby and I cannot explain the joys she brought us on that day. It was in the Kuching General Hospital and I had to undergo a C section so I was unaware when she came into this world. But her papa was waiting outside the operation theatre with my mum and apparently when the doctor brought her to David she had her eyes wide open...thick black hair...fair skinned...and weighed 3.8kg. I only can imagine the scene then and as I lay in my hospital bed after the op the doctors told me I could only see her after 48 hours...how cruel I thought...keeping a baby away from the mother...anyway we had to obey the hospital rules. But David and my mum kept me updated about how she looked and what she was doing. All I could think of at that time is I am a mother at 23 years 11 months and the post op pain I was going through. Then after 2 days I finally got to see her and whatever pain I had flew out the window...she was simply adorable.

We named her Melissa Stefanie Netto...Stefanie being her paternal grandmother's name...and Melissa was my choice..and yesterday I learnt that Melissa means servant of Jesus...wow how beautiful. We brought her home which was in Kuching in our Daihatsu Charade and before reaching home we took her to the Carmelite Sisters Church to say a prayer for her and us being the new parents. She was baptised on 15th of July 1984 at St Peter's Church Padungan Road, Kuching. And my mum stayed with us for 6 weeks and then David's mum came with Sean to stay with us. Sean...David's nephew was an excellent big brother as he was always there to help us  with the running around in the house. Both mums were a great help and guidance to this new mum who was impatient and easily irritable. Mel was quite an easy baby to care for but loved to scream at 2 in the morning for her feeds. She was doted upon by her two grandmothers and the rest of the family.

Her growing up years was easy because she was an obedient child and as one of her primary school teachers said...She is a delightful child...and  indeed she is.  We never had to tell her to study...and she even started caring for Andrew when she was only 11 and he was 8. She always set a good example for him and helped him in any way she could...she is an excellent eldest child. She studied at Assunta Primary and Secondary in Petaling Jaya. She graduated at the age of 21 at Curtin University of Technology Perth Australia with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Economics and Management. Today she is a lecturer in Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman and enjoys her job tremendously as she had always wanted to teach. She also coordinates the Assumption Praise Ministry in church. She is indeed a blessing to The Netto family.

Mel my darling daughter...all I can say for you today is always be independent and keep your faith in Christ. You are an excellent daughter to us and a fantastic sister to Andrew. May Our Good Lord always bless you and keep you in His Protection and bless you with every blessing.







Mel and me in Gavarnie in the south of France



David and Mel at the Colosseum in Rome



Mel and Andrew