MUSCATINE, Iowa —  Jose Melendez’ face was filled with joy on Christmas Eve as he and his son Miles, 4, took their turn as volunteer bell ringers for the Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle drive.

The community service activity has become a Christmas tradition for the Melendezes, but the family is still in awe of the kindness the community has returned.

 When Jose’s youngest daughter Taya, now 4, was diagnosed with leukemia nearly three years ago, he and his wife Tera were stunned. The couple said they don’t know how they would have managed without the support of family, friends and even strangers.

Jose, 30, who works at the HNI Corp. Oak Steel plant in Muscatine, vividly recalls the day he learned his little girl was ill.

His children had undergone routine blood tests and the next phone call from the doctor startled him.

“They said, ‘We need to see you right away,’” recalled Jose.

Taya was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital Of Iowa in Iowa City on Jan. 18, 2006.

Doctors prescribed a 2 ½-year treatment program, including chemotherapy and radiation, which she completed in June.

This Christmas, Taya is happy and healthy and her parents have reason to hope for a bright future for their daughter. The cancer was caught early and the ongoing treatment Taya completed lessens the chance of a relapse.

A little princess

Friday, Taya was talkative and active. She wore tights and a dress, her favorite style of attire said Tera and Jose, and her nails were painted, a fashion statement Taya adores.

Tera said her daughter loves being a girl with her curly dark hair swept back in a head band to match her pretty dresses.

Some people have said little Taya reminds them of a princess, said Tera.

“I’m in preschool now,” said Taya after taking her turn at the family’s Wii game system. “I’m at Discovery Days, not McKinley,” she explained, referring to McKinley Elementary which is a few blocks from the Melendezes’ home. “I’m not at Antonio’s school.”

Antonio is Taya’s 8-year-old brother.

Keeping perspective

Looking back, the Melendezes say their three older children brought balance to their lives during Taya’s illness.

Jose became a volunteer coach when his daughter Reyna, now 12, began playing soccer at age 5. He continued participating as often as he could during Taya’s illness.

“We tried to keep life as normal as possible,” said Jose.

Throughout her illness, Taya’s siblings gave her plenty of attention.

“Taya was always up and playing with them,” said Tera.

No good deed is too small

As Taya received treatment, the good wishes of others encouraged the Melendez family.

“We couldn’t begin to list all the things people did for us,” said Tera Friday afternoon as she watched her children play.

Tera and Jose recalled the Christmas of 2006 when their neighbors took up a collection to help them buy Christmas gifts for their children.

People conducted fundraisers to help with medical expenses and one man gave the family hundreds of dollars in pennies he had been saving for years.

People also donated time, caring for Taya’s siblings while her parents took her to medical appointments and stayed with her at the hospital. Neighbors would bring in the family’s trash cans, shovel their walk and bring them  dinner.

“All those things make a difference,” said Tera.

Back to normal — not yet

Now the Melendez family is adjusting to a quieter life.

Tera worked with special needs children in the Muscatine Community School District before Taya became ill and decided to stop working so she could be with her. She recently took a  part-time job with New Choices in Muscatine, where she cares for special needs people in their homes.

“It’s nice to be getting back into the swing of working,” said Tera.

The family is also getting used to taking Taya to more public places.

“When she was going through treatment, her immune system was low, especially in the winter months,” said Jose. “We almost kept her in a bubble.”

Reyna, the oldest of the siblings, remembers when she was finally allowed to kiss her baby sister again after the chemotherapy was completed.

It’s those priceless moments  that the Melendez family has learned to value most.

“Sometimes, you can get caught up in the material aspects of life,” said Tera. “But this has put everything in perspective.”

Reporter contact information

Cynthia Beaudette: 563-263-0527 or cynthia.beaudette@muscatinejournal.com