Create a Miracle for Merlin’s Family
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Over the last week, Cherish Families along with many, many in the community have watched and waited for news of Merlin Dutson, who disappeared on August 8th. We were grieved to hear last night that though they found him, he is no longer with us. While we don't know the details surrounding his death, we do know that he leaves behind a heartbroken family who now has to begin the physical process of making his final arrangements, and the spiritual and emotional process of working through the grief that follows the loss of a child, brother, and friend.
Merlin and his mother were very close. They spoke frequently on the phone, and shared the kind of bond every mother hopes for, that every mother cherishes. He looked after her, took care of her, and she did the same for him. He was the kind of person that built incredible relationships with his siblings, his friends, and many people in the community. He has a large family that will feel the hole he's leaving behind.
We are devastated for her.
But we aren't the only ones. Hundreds of people have reached out to his mother, Lucricia, asking how they can help. They've reached out to us asking how they can help. Everybody wants to do something to ease her burden and lift her pain.
We've spent some time the last few days with Lucricia and working with her family, and we've come to realize that the best way for the community to support them right now is to help cover the costs of the funeral, and to help with transportation and vehicles.
Lucricia is driving a vehicle that is not reliable for getting around town, let alone driving beyond town to the many locations she may need to visit to make funeral arrangements. It certainly wasn't up to the task of driving to the Salt Lake/Provo area where the searchers were looking, and she was forced to stay behind.
As a last gift to her from her son, we are asking the community to come together and raise the money to cover his funeral costs and leave her with a vehicle she can trust. While we can't take away the grief or stop the pain, we can at least rally around her and take care of a few of her needs, so she has the space to grieve as she needs.
Merlin and his mother were very close. They spoke frequently on the phone, and shared the kind of bond every mother hopes for, that every mother cherishes. He looked after her, took care of her, and she did the same for him. He was the kind of person that built incredible relationships with his siblings, his friends, and many people in the community. He has a large family that will feel the hole he's leaving behind.
We are devastated for her.
But we aren't the only ones. Hundreds of people have reached out to his mother, Lucricia, asking how they can help. They've reached out to us asking how they can help. Everybody wants to do something to ease her burden and lift her pain.
We've spent some time the last few days with Lucricia and working with her family, and we've come to realize that the best way for the community to support them right now is to help cover the costs of the funeral, and to help with transportation and vehicles.
Lucricia is driving a vehicle that is not reliable for getting around town, let alone driving beyond town to the many locations she may need to visit to make funeral arrangements. It certainly wasn't up to the task of driving to the Salt Lake/Provo area where the searchers were looking, and she was forced to stay behind.
As a last gift to her from her son, we are asking the community to come together and raise the money to cover his funeral costs and leave her with a vehicle she can trust. While we can't take away the grief or stop the pain, we can at least rally around her and take care of a few of her needs, so she has the space to grieve as she needs.
Organizer and beneficiary
Julianne Kelsch
Organizer
Herriman, UT
Alina Darger
Beneficiary
