MERIEL'S STORY
Meriel was my sister and I loved her from the moment I saw her. Meriel was the youngest of the 3 sisters and our lives were very interwoven.
I lost both of my sisters to cancer, Meriel in 2005 and Gloria in 2007. I now fully realize the importance of siblings, especially sisters and the importance of continuing their legacy. After Meriel passed and during our sister Gloria’s illness, I started taking notes for a “Sisters” book.
The Meriel I knew
She enjoyed life and did not take herself or others too seriously. Meriel left a wonderful legacy of simply taking one day at a time.
She was a great cook. I remember her son Teron saying, "Mom you are a great cook, I can see it now, Pies, Cakes, Cookies by Meriel. I recall a dear friend of mine, Jean Gilmore sending me a note thanking me for "turning her on" to Meriel’s cakes.
The Promise to Meriel
The day before she died Meriel and I took a ride through our old neighborhood. She and I sat, admiring the beautiful view from the St. Johns River. She told me that she was not afraid of dying but she was concerned about her Son, Teron. I promised Meriel that I would take care of him. This touched me because I recall when my Mother died that she had these same concerns, even though most of us were adults.
Meriel's story does not end with her death but how we live our lives and how we pass that beautiful spirit of sharing to others in need. As I tell my nephew Teron all the time, you have many angels watching over you, including your Granddaddy, Grandmother, your Mom, and Aunt Gloria. Make them proud.
The Inspiration for Meriel's Miracles
Many people in Meriel's condition do not often have family close by or a strong support network in place in times of need. For the most part we are all so busy with our own lives that we often forget to reach out to others.
The love a parent feels for a child is the inspiration for Meriel's Miracles. Meriel continued to do all of the motherly things for her child while undergoing treatment after treatment. My thought was that it would be tremendous relief if she had more support.
Meriels’s Miracles is a sister’s way of saying “Thank you” by:
- Passing Meriel’s love on to others.
- Helping other children and families as they face all of the challenges that come with a diagnosis of cancer.
- Being a miracle in the lives of our children.
Vernell Steward Britton: President/CEO Meriel's Miracles