Always in our hearts and minds...

Today has been one of those unbearably sad days when you hear the news from a friend that their child has died. Today we heard about Alex. We met Alex's parents in The Royal Brompton hospital about a year ago. We have spent many a few weeks in together and his Mum and I would often keep each over going over a glass or two of wine and some food. We had so many heart to hearts about "our boys and the trouble they caused". When we moved down the road to the Chelsea and Westminster, we maintained this support. Alex spent many happy months at home with his parents, despite the fact that, this time last year, there were fears he may not even get out of ITU. Alex would have been 16 months old today. In the last year we have seen 8 children known to us sadly pass away, all of them under 2 years of age. Of these, 2 were especially close. Alex and, of course, our little smiley Riley.

If you have been following this blog, you will have heard of Riley before so let me introduce his gorgeous little face. Last Sunday, 3 of the children who were treated by the gastroenterology team at Chelsea and Westminster, who died in the last year, were remembered by their families and friends and some of the staff who shared their short but beautiful lives. It really was a lovely afternoon. We sat in the park and read out our thoughts and memories and stuck pictures and messages onto collages. After this, we had a picnic and carried on chatting about the children. Riley's Mummy and Daddy, Helen and Adam and I will always chat about Riley and all the things we did together when we shared those 6 weeks living in that room. We miss him so much and William will always be told about his first best mate! Riley was a brave little fighter, as was Alex. We will always remember them. Their time here may have been short but they touched our hearts and our lives. I certainly have some of the best friends I will ever have through sharing the joys and the heartache bought about by their wonderul little boy.