Happy Birthday My Sweet Angel

Today - January 15th - Bethany would have been six years old. She's be in school, be talking, be running around, be doing homework, but most importantly, she'd still be loving life.

This time six years ago - just after 9.30am - Bethy had been born by csection, and we were sitting in the theatre at guys admiring the little moo before Jo was whisked off one way, and Bethy was whisked off the other. In her first five days, the diagnosed her heart issue, added to her heart issue, discovered cancer, discovered the malrotation, and suffered a series of strokes. At two weeks of age, she had surgery on her stomach to untwist it, and to remove the cancer from her adrenal gland. Despite all these problems, she came home after five weeks. The date of her discharge is also one that haunts me. February 21st. The same day she left us.

While she never really grew and was always a tiddler, she was full of love and energy for anyone around. She would cuddle anyone, smile to anyone, and never let anything get in her way. Even when puffed and out of breath, she still had time to smile. The following December aged eleven month - and on Jaysens 3rd birthday she had her first surgery, which gave her something else to show off - her special zipper.

Then, aside from constant appointments with cardiologists, neurologists, oncologists, dieticians and any other specialist that wanted a look, she grew and developed and learned to walk and crawl and generally get on with things, and never ever did she let anything get in her way. Not once did she complain about her meds, having blood taken, sitting still for a scan or anything.

Just before her 4th birthday, we received news that she needed surgery, and at the end of January, just after her birthday we were given two days notice for her operation. Four weeks after her surgery, it was too much, and we had to make that decision...

My love for Bethany has never lessened, diminished or changed, even with her gone. I miss the sound of her laughing, and saying "Meeese!" instead of please, the smile she would give me when I entered the room, and the sheer amount of love that came from her, unconditional and without price. I miss every single thing about my beautiful little girl, and feel sorry for those that never got to meet her, and never got to feel her love radiating upon them.

We miss you, our beautiful little angel. I still see you shaking your ass, every day that we're apart.

Bethy, I love you loads,

-Daddy

The site hosting Bethys magazine article seems to be down at the moment. If you want to read it, you can view it here

And for those that wonder why I always say something like "I See You Baby..." this is the song Bethy used to sing and dance to...


I see you baby.... Every single day...