As a child growing up, one is subdued to tall tales of monsters, apparitions, and things that go bump in the night. Some are bred to keep the little ones inside; while others are meant to forewarn, graduating into ancient legends of folklore. These legends become myths that attract the attention of scientific skeptics, conspirators, and blind believers. They construct milestones for our current future, compelling us to proceed in our journey toward truth. But there was a young woman from Queens who intended to endure a journey of her own. This woman was Melanie Rene Lavender

Born to Jason and Marie Lavender, Melanie came into the world with open eyes and a mind for imagination. In her youth, she dreamed of the unknown. Whenever Melanie saw a rainbow, she'd want to chase it to see if there was a pot of gold at the end of it. When she lost a tooth, she'd keep a sack under her bed, hoping to catch the tooth fairy. Let's not forget Christmastime, when she did her best to stay awake so she could catch Saint Nick himself, coming down her chimney.