(This article was originally published on Wednesday, Feb. 17, in the Kosciusko edition of The Paper.)

WARSAW — Melody Barker, Warsaw, has been through more in a little more than a year than most people can handle in a lifetime. Roller coasters are part of life, but Barker’s stamina was tested the past couple of years after the passing of her husband, DeWayne, mother and father-in-law.

Barker has taken on the new role of ownership of her and her late husband’s business, Barker Archives.

On top of running a business, Barker attends Touch of Life Church regularly, serving on the worship team and supporting mission trips to Haiti. She is on the Kosciusko County Jail board and leads a business persons luncheon each month. “I find much satisfaction in seeing other people’s lives change for the better,” said Barker. Barker said she, her husband and her pastor all had a vision of giving back to the business community, and came up with the idea of the free business luncheon to encourage networking and speaking opportunities.

Melody Barker, left, shares a smile with her daughter, Christina Powers. Barker said both her daughter and her staff have helped her get through a year of struggles. (Photo provided)

When asked what a typical day is like for Barker, she laughed, and said there has not been a typical day for her in some time. Since the passing of many important people in her life, Barker has had to readjust her days and mindset. “My husband was my hero and a good, good man,” said Barker. “That has left a big hole in my heart that is healing every day.”

Barker said with the help of her daughter, Christina Powers, and the rest of her staff whom she considers family, she has been supported unconditionally. “We all love coming to work and supporting each other and watching the business grow,” said Barker. “I believe my staff are some of the finest people that I could ever hope for. They have brightened my life and many others’ whom they have come in contact with.”

When she is away from work, Barker has learned to accept into her life some of the more simple enjoyments. “I love working in my yard in the summer and taking boat rides with my daughter, dogs and our cat,” said Barker. When dreaming up the perfect day, Barker said it would include a day filled with reading, music and dancing. “I love to play the piano and worship my Lord. It is such an intimate time of reflecting on how good God is,” said Barker.

Although she loves her daily routine, she said she has goals to slow down and enjoy her life a bit more in the upcoming years. “I love going to Florida,” said Barker. “I hope to travel more this next year to places that DeWayne and I always dreamt of.”

With all the struggles in her life, Barker said she finds the strength to go on each day through work, her daughter, her staff and her relationship with God. “Everything has changed,” said Barker. “Nothing will be the same again, but I do believe it can be even better. Life is what we choose to make it.

“I have decided to take each day as a blessing from the Lord and live a life that means something. What that something is, I am still learning.”