Birthday Gift

Whenever we talk about you, Isaac, it ultimately ends in how inspirational you are. True, I am biased, but I have never met or known of any little boy who has inspired so many to be kind, generous and brave.

These past three years have been a struggle for us. We long to have you here and to share our world with you. Instead you are growing up in a place called 'somewhere'. 

We should be able to sing happy birthday to you in person. We would want to see your smiling face as you opened your gifts. As you blew out your birthday candles we would wish for you to be happy, kind and brave- qualities anyone would wish for their children. But in fact you are those things already: happy, kind and brave. We feel very fortunate to have had you, and as time goes by we see these aspects of your character daily. You don't need to be here for us to know you have those worthy qualities. 

I imagine you are happy. You are surrounded up there by people we have loved but have left us too. Your grandfather, your great uncle, your great grandmothers, and mummy's best friend. I know you are well cared for by them. You are also away from all the harm and cruelty this world sees. No one ever wants their child to bear witness to the wars and crimes on this earth, and you, thank God, will never know them. And I believe you must be so happy to see your baby sister growing each day. She will always know who you are my darling boy, and she will grow up loving you as if you were here. 

A kind person is someone who cares about others and their welfare. You may not be here to show this in person, but you have certainly inspired others to act kindly in your memory. £28,000 has been raised in your memory for the Evelina Children's Hospital, and we have seen people take on the most amazing challenges to raise this. Also, the kindness friends, family and the public have shown by donating is truly humbling. All in your memory sweetheart. This kindness is shown because of you. 

I have met no one quite as brave as you. You fought for life when others gave up on you. You gave us a little time to be your parents even though you were suffering and in pain. You made sure your mummy and daddy had memories of their first born to keep them warm through the darkest of times. How much braver could anyone be?

We couldn't be any prouder of you than we are; you're just not here to say it to. However, you are the happiest, most kind and bravest little boy there is.  I whisper it every night in to the star filled sky hoping you can at least feel our love for you. 

So, what could we possibly give to our happy, kind and brave boy? I think your true birthday gift is something you have given to us. You have shown us what true courage is. Whenever I have felt defeated and down I just think of you, and I remember that my fight could never be as hard as the one you had to endure. I have learnt to be less judgmental and more tolerant. You have changed the way I look at people. My empathy and my need to care is what drives me to help those who suffer loss too. And you have taught me to embrace those little moments of happiness we experience everyday, because we know they can vanish at any time. 

For your birthday we give to you a promise.  We will keep honouring you by doing our best to be happy, kind and brave- just like you.

Happy 3rd birthday darling boy. 
Love always and forever,
Mummy. 
XxX. 

If you would like to donate in memory of Isaac to the Evelina Children's Hospital please click on the link below:
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=runningforisaac&utm_source=SwitchToDesktop&utm_medium=web&utm_content=Footer&utm_campaign=VMGMobile&stop_mobi=yes