Mimi - My Inspiration

The following tribute is a post I wrote in response to Mama Kat’s weekly meme. Mama Kat, at Mama’s Losin’It! gives her readers prompts at the beginning of the week and challenges them to write about one, two or all of them by Thursday morning. Well, it’s the Wednesday after Thursday; I missed the due date. However, this piece means so much to me that I just had to post it now. The assignment was to write about someone who inspires me. My inspiration is Mimi Avery and this is my story.

I first learned of this incredible woman from blogger and author, Dawn Meehan of Because I Said So. She had written about a little boy named Julian, who had been diagnosed with cancer after finding a mass in the back of his head. I was directed to a website called Care Pages. This website is a wonderful, supportive and informative place to go for cancer patients, the families and friends of those who have been diagnosed, and for newcomers like myself, who wanted to know more about the disease and how people cope with it.

Very quickly, I came to love little Julian, and the honest, no-holds-barred writing of his mother, Mimi. She poured her heart out almost on a daily basis. She introduced her readers to other kids and families with whom she had met, who were on the same journey as she and Julian. Even while she was going through the heart-wrenching days of treatment and the reactions to same, she was there for any parent or child that needed someone. Whether it was a shoulder to cry on, or the warrior-mom pep talk, Mimi was and still is there, always, for support, love and unlimited hugs. She would write about these families and give her readers the Care Page site address for them. She organized fundraising events for some of the families. She would also visit the families with whom she had developed a close relationship. And…the pictures…Mimi ALWAYS takes the most wonderful pictures of the kids and their families!

Mimi is also a very prolific writer. In her posts, she might describe the agony that a parent goes through with the initial diagnosis, or the frustration and heartbreak felt when seeing any child experience radiation or chemo treatments. She will also elaborate on the joy of every smile, every laugh and every success, no matter how small. Her poetry is like a rare painting; one reads it with great awe. With her stories, Mimi makes one feel as though they are standing next to her, no matter where she is.

I could not begin to come close to telling Julian and Mimi’s story, and give it the respect and honor it deserves, so please visit Julian’s Care Page at: http://www.carepages.com/carepages/JulinsWorld/updates to learn about this very courageous woman and her little fighter!

King Juju, as he was known, went home to our Heavenly Father in January of 2008. Mimi continues to post, inspiring patients, families and supporters from all over the world. I have yet to experience the pleasure and honor of meeting Mimi. She has made me feel like an old friend who could sit around the kitchen table drinking coffee with her.

September is Child Cancer Awareness month. I will proudly wear my gold ribbon in honor of dear, sweet Julian, as well as each and every child who has suffered, or continues to suffer from this evil disease. I pray for a cure in my lifetime; I feel we are getting close. With brave and strong warriors like Mimi, I feel certain it will happen. I love you, Mimi!

Liz