A SPECIAL CEREMONY — Friends and employees of Mel Grable helped celebrate the new business location for Mel’s Therapeutic Massage on Monday. Taking part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 2718 Sunset Blvd., Suite A, were, from left, Emily Byers, friend of Grable; Debbie Grable, Mel’s mother; Mel Grable, owner; Rachelle Bass, receptionist; Alessandra DiMichele, accounting rep from GoGo Pest Control; and Cindy Cozza, director of operations for Cedar One Group. -- Julie Stenger

WINTERSVILLE — Brothers and sisters. Sure, sometimes they may argue, tease one another growing up. But they also love one another in an inexplicable way.

Wintersville resident Mel Grable shared that unique and indescribable bond with her brother, Michael. And it is because of her love and admiration for him, that she completely changed the direction of her life.

Mel last spoke to her brother toward the end of November 2018. Michael had served in the Army, doing two tours in Iraq. He left the military with a Purple Heart. He also left with PTSD, which in the end, became too much for him to handle.

It was during the holidays when Michael took his life … leaving behind a family who misses him each and every day.

Mel shared the story of her last moments with her brother just minutes after she cut the large red ribbon displayed in front of her business, Mel’s Therapeutic Massage, which marked the grand opening at its new location.

“This is for him,” Mel said of Michael. She recounted how he had been the one to encourage her to technically leave the medical field from which she had completed her schooling to become a nurse.

Dealing with his PTSD, he would ask his sister to massage his back, as this provided somewhat of a comfort to him.

“Sis, you missed your calling,” he had told her. “You need to go back to school.” He referred to her as his “little superhero,” always wanting to help someone.

Of course, Mel responded she had already been to school for nursing and still had money to repay.

Michael replied she could actually bring the medical aspect to the massage portion of the business. A business of her very own.

“Do you know how many people you could help?” he asked her.

And that was the last time she spoke to her sibling. He ended his life shortly afterward.

Six months passed and Mel began having the same dream about her brother and how they had found him. In each dream, he consistently kept repeating the words “Go back.”

The following week, she had applied for financial aid, and a week later, she was enrolled in classes.

“Mike knew this is what I am supposed to do,” she said of her new practice. “And I want to dedicate it to those who are suffering. I want to dedicate it to those who have lost their battles to mental health and those with PTSD.”

“I’m here to help as many people as I can,” Mel stated.

On Feb. 1 of last year, she listened to her brother’s words once again, and opened that home office inside her recreation room. She had five clients.

However, the care for which she provided to each, not only the physical side of the massage, but the emotional side as well, which is another healing, energetic modality service she offers known as Reiki, allowed word to spread about her business.

She was nominated for the Best of the Best in the Herald-Star, winning first place, and her business grew.

“I fought to get the Veterans Association,” she commented. “And now we are a VA provider.”

“We also are a workmans’ compensation provider,” she thankfully exclaimed.

Because of her ratings and reviews, Mel explained how the Better Business Bureau reached out to her, asking if she would be interested in becoming a part of the BBB.

Chiropractors and pain centers are referring their clients to her, she added.

Today, there are more than 550 clients in her computer system. Needless-to-say, she no longer sees patients inside her basement.

On Monday, Mel’s Therapeutic Massage held its ribbon cutting ceremony at its new location in Steubenville. The business at 2718 Sunset Blvd., Suite A, is dedicated to helping those who suffer in pain.

Love, care and compassion are what every individual will receive when they visit Mel’s practice. For as she says, this thing called humanity … these are what we lack. And they are three emotions which every person needs in life. They are three things which she is able to offer to her patients.

“It’s all about the client, first and foremost,” she exclaimed, noting there are 250 different types of massages. Among some of these are deep tissue, relaxation, sports massages, reflexology and pregnancy massage — prenatal and postnatal.

What’s more, clients have stated her practice is affordable, to which Mel responded, “I do this to help people, not to get rich fast. I want people to know I am here because I care. I love my job.”

As proof of what she does is strictly for the sake of others’ well-being and mental health, she walks to work every day from her home in Wintersville.

Her mother, Debbie Grable, works as the business’s receptionist and trainer. She explained her daughter’s car is inoperable. But she doesn’t let that deter her from getting up early every day of the week to walk the 4.1 miles to work.

“Here’s how I work seven days a week,” she continued. “My brother motivated me, but it’s God who gave me the calling. So, that’s how I walk to work every single day to help people. God gives me the strength to do this.”

“Reducing your pain is now my legacy,” she concluded, thinking back to that time seven years ago, when her brother knew what her true legacy was, even before she did.

Mel’s friends and co-workers attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony to help welcome her to her new home.

Cindy Cozza, director of operations for the Cedar One Group, stated, “We are a woman-owned business and believe in supporting other woman-owned businesses.”

“I love to see women follow their dreams and aspirations,” Cozza continued. “We just want to support her therapeutic treatments that are done in a natural way for everyone who needs her services, including the VA and those from workman’s comp.”

Alessandra DiMichele, who works in accounting at GoGo Pest Control, stated, “We are here to support another woman-owned business here in the Ohio Valley. We are excited to see Mel thrive.”

Rachelle Bass serves as a receptionist at the new therapeutic massage business. New to the area from California, she exclaimed she started her job two weeks ago when she moved here because of family.

“I love it,” Bass commented. “It’s what I’ve always been looking for.”

“I’m so proud of what she has accomplished,” Debbie Grable added. “She has accomplished so much and her heart is into what she is doing. It started with my son, which was her action for her helping those who are in pain.”

Mel’s friend, Emily Byers, stated, “I’m very happy to support Mel and her ribbon-cutting for her official business front. She helps a lot of people and is very passionate about her work.”

The business is open seven days a week. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays.

The business is seeking licensed massage therapists to expand the practice. Those interested in applying or to schedule an appointment, can contact the office by calling (740) 461-0183.