“All that we love deeply becomes a part of us”
The Maria Gloria Foundation was started in honor and memory of my daughter Maria Gloria Verdile who passed away very unexpectedly in February of 2007. The MGF is supported entirely from the friends and family of Maria, Maria’s own community-Islip, NY and from those whose lives she touched and will continue to for eternity. Maria was just 12 years old when she passed away and was living a very wonderful quality of life. She was in school with her friends, in multiple clubs, doing most of the things other girls her age did in her own capacity. Maria never let the fact that she had SMA and used a power wheel chair for mobility ever stop her from trying everything she wanted, as well as figuring out how to do and adapt to certain activities.
Marias Night 2009 was recently held in Islip NY in honor of Maria and raised over $3,000 for Families of SMA. The theme was “Peace, Love and Happiness are found in the journey”. That is truly how Maria lived her life, not only finding peace, love and joy in her goals and desires, but also and at the same time finding peace, love and happiness in her steps of living. In all she did and all she thought. She has an amazing soul and will continue to touch lives and change people from heaven as she did in her lifetime here.
The unfolding of Maria’s life, even while having SMA, was all I could dream of for her. It was awesome to feel and see that as Maria’s parent. What else can a mother ask for but to see their child’s life unfold so beautifully and magnificently as it should? We had learned over the years how to be grateful for the lives we are given and for the opportunities that come before us. Maria was living that life.
One quote has become very dear and meaningful to me. It is “all that we love deeply becomes a part of us” – Helen Keller. I know this to be true because Maria, although living in heaven, is every breath I take.
Marias brother Steven is 12 now and he also has SMA. It is also in seeing his strength and his love of his life that continues to teach me some of the most important lessons of life… how to live from love.
Much peace and love,
Holly Verdile
Holly – what a daughter you had. Maria Gloria lived with courage in ways that most people can only dream of!
I remember the kind words of a close friend the day my mom died in 2003: “Your mother lives on in your heart”. Your quote from Helen Keller resonates with me as well. Thanks for sharing about your daughter. John
thank you for your response. My daughter maria has been an amazing and strong girl. Well growing to be a young lady. Maria has brought much into this world and I know she will do the same from heaven.
I too like the quotes by Helen Keller..I let them seep into my heart and soul really.
I am sorry about your mom’s passing and it seems you too find peace in words embracing the concpets of timeless love. Another quote I’ve heard somewhere I belive is “True love never end” another form of it I’ve seen is “true love never ceases to exist”. For all our relationships we have on this earth are really love relationships of one form or another.
Take care John,
Holly
Holly, what an amazing , pure dougther and angel!!! What a gift! i fell honner to be able to be part of your”s and Maria’s lives!! deep in my heart… thank you, MARIA AND STEEVE!! Peace and love always….