There are those few rare people I meet who are truly dedicated to a life of service. Those who just seem to know a lot. People who you go to. Who you know will always be there … put you first. Melanie Germany was, still is one of those people. 

She “retired” from my local pharmacy Wender and Roberts last Wednesday. 

Characteristic of her … no fanfare. No celebration. Just a kind of quiet “left the stage” exit. I love uncommon humility like this. No time taken to say, “Hey, look at me.” Rather, Melanie left on her terms. Leaving all her customers remembering, “Oh, I need this or I need that. I’ve got this problem. Or that one. With a prescription, sore throat, a sick child.” Anything pharmaceutical and more? It was always the same reply from the hundreds of us who’ve used “Wender” over the last, almost forty years while she was there. 

“Call Melanie!”

She was so wonderful for all these years. 

Funny how some really great folk are known only by their first name. 

Melanie Germany? I never knew her full name until one day I asked one of her staff. Mike; Adele; Oprah. No I’m not trying to put Melanie in this category. Just making the point. Great people … famous or not. Are influencers. Mention “Melanie?” You were immediately taken care of … fully trusted you were in good hands. 

A phrase that comes to mind when I remember my friend?

If it’s duty that calls us to get things done. It’s love that allows us to get them done … beautifully. 

So, Melanie moves on. I italicized “retired” above because for her? I think retirement is a myth. She’ll just continue her dedication to serving others in another, new way. 

It’s going to be hard to refrain from calling out “Melanie?”when I enter “Wender” in the future. But I know there will be others who will step up and help me. If not quite as expertly as she did. 

Melanie created the culture at Wender and Roberts. It’s now up to those following her to further it. And my bet is they surely will. With the same care and love she did. 

God Speed, Melanie,

Well done …