As I have sat and thought about what to write about the life of my daughter, Heather McLean, I am overwhelmed at all the thoughts that come to mind. How can I possibly put into words how magnificently she lived life?
The first time I tried to write, I was overwhelmed with emotions and just couldn’t do it. I took a break and walked outside and sat on my porch. The moment I sat, a beautiful hummingbird came looking for her feeder; she just fluttered right in front of me. That was a gift to me. I was sent that hummingbird, that was a message, “Mom, I’m alright, I’m with Jesus now.” I can’t even begin to tell you the Peace that washed over me.
During her first 5 years, it seemed as though she could not stay out of the hospital. It was our second home back then. Thank God for the Ronald McDonald House! When she was 5, I had taken her to the doctor, as something just wasn’t right. At that age, she was the tiniest of all her classmates. She was still the same size as she was at 2. I took her baby book in as reference. At that point, the doctor referred her to a specialist. She had been diagnosed at 6 months with Optic nerve hypoplasia, which means her optic nerves did not develop. We were told she was blind and given a list of all the things she would NEVER do, but she did everything on that list (except drive a car, but she could sure drive the golf cart!) The endocrinologist diagnosed her with septo-optic dysplasia, or DeMorsier’s Syndrome.
Heather was also developmentally delayed. At 25, she still had the heart of a child. Pure. Innocent. Genuine. Heather had dreamed of being a missionary since she was a little girl, but she thought she could never do the work because she couldn’t go to a third world country. I told her she could be a missionary right here at home, and she did just that.
Heather was crowned the first North Carolina “Miss” Miss Amazing Queen in 2013. She wore her crown and sash with pride, and she used that platform to show the love of Jesus. Her face that night when she was told she was queen was priceless. She earned that crown! She enjoyed Nationals so very much. Though we initially thought it would be impossible for us to make it to Nationals, I am thankful for the bad situation, because, had it not happened, the four of us would not have attended. God gave us an incredible experience with Heather, days that we will never forget. It was a truly special, amazing experience that we will cherish forever. Because of the situation, Heather chose to sing “What Faith Can Do” by Kutless for the talent showcase. She knew Faith was all we had to get there, and Faith was enough!!
During her reign as a Miss Amazing queen, Heather organized two events. The first, Warm Hearts, was for local children, and she collected items such as gloves, mittens, and scarves to help keep them warm. She also organized Stockings of Love for the Lewis Rathbun House, which is much like the Ronald McDonald house, in Asheville for the families in the house who had loved ones in the hospital at Christmas. We know what it is like to be away from home and family and friends during the holidays, so she wanted to do something special to show them they were not forgotten. She was also invited to be the Grand Marshal of our hometown parade, which was an amazing experience for her. When she rode through town and they made the announcement that she was the Grand Marshal, the cheers and clapping began. I remember Kristie telling me, “She leaned down and said, ‘They are doing that for ME??’” Yes, my precious, they did that for you! When she got to where we were, as her Mother, my heart swelled with love, seeing her smile and her glow. I did not want that moment to end for her. As we hollered and waved and clapped for her, I gathered the children with me and we began running along with the car yelling her name to see her smile. We ran to the end.
Heather’s desire in life was to help people. It didn’t matter how; she would help through a kind word, encouragement, an offer to pray for you, or those awesomely wonderful hugs she gave! She was the best hug giver in the world! Heather loved with all of her heart. She forgave with all of her heart. Heather’s life wasn’t easy, physically or emotionally . People made fun of her. People took advantage of her. People tried to exploit her. I will never forget the day when she was in third grade and she came home in tears, as kids were making fun of her. She knew I got upset and said to me words I will never forget, “Mom, it’s okay, because I forgive them.” She had a heart of forgiveness. It didn’t matter what you did or didn’t do, she forgave quickly and completely. She loved completely and unconditionally. She never gave up on people.
I have started Heather’s Faith Fund. I don’t want her to be forgotten. I know the life she lived will continue to touch souls for Jesus. This is being done to honor and remember all she was and all she did. I want to continue her legacy of “What Faith CAN Do!” We will continue to honor her through helping other people. The first thing we have done is raising the funds to cover all of the North Carolina Queens’ registration fee for Nationals. We raised the $600.00 in one week! Thank you Lord!! We will do our best to see to it that all 6 Queens make it to Nationals!! I would also like to be there, in her memory.
Heather passed just two weeks before she was to crown the next queen. So close. I was given the honor of crowning the new queen, Miss Leann Huff, who happened to be one of Heather’s very best friends. It was truly an honor to do that. Kristie did a beautiful job memorializing Heather. Her song “What Faith Can Do” was sung by Kristie’s mother and brother. It was emotional but oh, so beautiful. The NC Miss Amazing will be offering a scholarship in Heather’s memory to a Murphy High Senior. Isn’t that awesome!? Most people pass away at their lowest, sick and diseased. But Heather passed away at her highest! This last year was her best year ever! I am so thankful for that. Although we experience the sting of death, we have also been blessed beyond measure. Yes, blessings abound even through death. Yes, God is still good, even through death. Yes, God comforts us, even through death.
I would like to pose a challenge to whomever reads this… If you haven’t gotten to know someone who is different, go get to know them! These special children, young adults, and grown people have more to offer than you could ever imagine. It would bless you tremendously if you invested just a small amount of time with someone different. It can get very lonely being different. People are afraid of what to say. Don’t be. Just go talk to them like you would anyone else. You will ignite a glow in them that will ultimately bless you. Go get blessed!!! Go…. I promise you won’t regret it!
I’ll leave you with Heather’s famous words:
“Everybody IS Somebody; We ALL Matter.”
Lovingly written by Tracey McLean
Mother of Heather McLean, North Carolina’s First Miss Amazing “Miss” Queen 2013
~ October 24, 1988 – March 22, 2014 ~
The first Miss Amazing Pageant was held in 2007 in a small youth center with 15 participants. Little did anyone know that this event would blossom into a non-profit organization that coordinates Miss Amazing Pageants in 25 states and produces new media initiatives like the 
Conversations of Confidence 