I am honoured to be a recipient of The King Charles III Coronation Medal


I was honoured to receive a letter from The House of Commons from a Member of Parliament Tako van Popta informing me that I have been awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal from the Government of Canada.

This medal will be given out later this year. I am so touched and moved by this. I cried when I opened the letter.

This will really be a special moment for me and I’m so humbled by it. I wish my mother and father were alive to see me get this medal. It is bittersweet and it is moments like this that I really feel their loss, even more deeply. Grief never ends because when you lose someone you love so much, they will continue to miss out on all the milestones as I move forward in life. I really miss sharing these big events in my life with my parents. I read a recent article that is entitled "Grieving During Milestones: Since I Lost A Parent, The Happiest Moments In Life Have Become The Hardest To Cope With" and it is true. I hope they will be watching from above on the day that I receive the medal. I will be carrying them with me regardless.

I want to thank the Government of Canada, the MP Tako van Popta who nominated me and to those individuals who wrote their MP asking them to nominate me. A special thank you to Cos van Wermeskerken who wrote several letters to MP Tako von Popta and other MP’s on my behalf writing such kind words about me and my work.

You can read more about the medal that I will be awarded, the eligibility criteria and how one must wear it HERE

This is the highest honour I will have ever received and I will truly treasure it forever. I will post more on this and photos of  the actual medal when I am awarded it later this year.

Comments

  1. MegJanuary 23, 2025 at 4:41 PM

    What a tremendous honour and well deserved award! This is such a prestigious achievement and to receive a medal is just beyond my wildest expectations!

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJanuary 23, 2025 at 7:09 PM

    Mel this is soooooooooooooo amazing !! you go girl congrats! -Joanne

    ReplyDelete
  3. SusannaJanuary 23, 2025 at 7:38 PM

    Congratulations Melissa. You are really deserving of this award and have helped to put birding in bc on the map. Your kindness and generosity in helping others including youth and the birds and bringing awareness about civil rights issues is why you are so special to so many. Thank you for all you do and I know it is bittersweet without your parents to share this with you but trust they will be with you when you get tht award.

    ReplyDelete

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