It was a weekend of contrasts.
The feeling of elation we all felt,
as a young boy returned home from hospital after five months,
albeit for just one night.
However we also were stunned and saddened,
as just a short distance away we knew,
another family were also bringing their son home,
but for them it was for the final time.
A small boy aged just six years,
coming “home” from a hospital in London.
The little boy I spoke of last week,
passed away on Wednesday morning.
A baby. Just six years of age.
A lifetime of happy days ahead.
A wee small boy dearly loved,
whose uniform and toys are still waiting for him.
Those of us who are parents,
cannot for one minute imagine what life would be like,
without one of our brood.
What we would feel,
if we had to go to the airport,
and accompany our child “home”,
in a little white coffin.
Tomorrow is the removal,
and Wednesday the funeral.
We live in a relatively large village,
but everyone feels the loss.
The school, the shops, the playground, the green,
all are now missing one small boy.
As I type I hear my mothers words,
“If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing”.
So with that in mind,
until I have cheerier things to write about,
I intend to leave you for a couple of days.
Who knows I might decide I need to write,
and return quickly.
However I think there is enough difficulty in all our lives,
without my adding to it with my mournful posts!
So tomorrow and the next day,
I think I will look to dig out some old posts of mine,
and hopefully with them, in some small measure,
I can add to your day.
I’ll be back before you know it.
See you all again soon.
Best wishes and thanks for reading.
And for small Ben,
I wish you “codladh samh”. (sleep peacefully).
xxx
photo credit: Eustaquio Santimano via photopin cc
photo credit: he-sk via photopin cc
My thoughts on a page. 
Oh Tric I am so sorry to hear this, how terribly, terribly awful for the family and all near and dear. We are not made to outlive our children; My thoughts and prayers are with you all and I hope you are back writing soon
It really is a nightmare of unimaginable horror. All our tears over the next few days but after that, what is there for them? Thanks for your kind thoughts and prayers. They will need every one of them.
There are no words that will comfort those that grieve for him. Nothing prepares you for the death of a child or the life that needs to go on without them. You keep that little piece of them forever in your heart & for always love them. Big hugs xx
Thanks jacqui. There is indeed nothing we can say. Just be there in the weeks ahead, but for them it is a lifetime of loss. So very sad.
codladh samh, Ben. I am so sorry to learn about his passing.
Thanks so much. It is so very sad.
the death of a child is always much harder to bear – such a short time on this earth with so much potential unfilled, it seems so much more cruel than the death of someone who has lived a full life
take some time out, tric, to comfort and support your friends at this difficult time for them
we’ll still be here when you are ready to return !
Thanks Duncan. I love humor and writing, but at the moment I just feel sadness. No one wants to be writing with a sad heart, and no one should have to be reading it. Thats how I feel at the moment. I think once the funeral is over it will be easier in my house, but hard not to remember his families hell.
Anything cheery on your blog tonight?
I got news at the weekend that one of my friends died last week of a heart attack and another who has been battling cancer looks like she does not have much time left
sadly, I am at that age when this is not an uncommon occurrence and If I stopped to do a head count the number of my friends still living is outweighed by the number who have died – but they each had lived a fulfilling life so while their passing is a sad occasion to those they left behind it does not compare to the sense of waste when a young child dies
[I think the death of a child is one of the most difficult things for those who have a religious faith to explain/justify in any convincing way]
Anything cheery?
It’s late but I might be able to come up with something 😆
Yes all death is sad and hard to take but a child dying is just so wrong.
I have just been over to Madhatters and you have indeed managed to cheer me up. I really laughed out loud. Thanks Duncan. I really needed that. 🙂
Many hugs, love and prayers to you and to the family. Just nothing else to say.
Thank you. There really are no words. It is every parents nightmare.
No words, I’m so sorry for the family’s loss and yours xxx
R.I.P little Ben x
Thank you. Death at any time is hard to accept, but in one so young it really is so unnatural.
This is partly why I took two weeks off. I needed a break from the constant fighting, bickering and needless deaths on blogs and the media. The first has been so good that I may further reduce blog-time.
Oh dear. Sorry to hear that. I have found blogging to be very enjoyable but I am naturally light hearted and do not like to write too many sad or serious posts, so I can imagine how I will feel after the next two days so will save my readers the misery.
I will i think enjoy though looking through my old posts though and hopefully others will too.
If writing sad stuff helps you to feel better or grieve, then do it! I’ll read it!
It sickens me to see lives wasted away or snuffed short by death, but when it’s another gunshot victim doing something he shouldn’t have been or a drunk driver killed by his own poor decision, I’m numb to it and could really care less most times after the initial contact. With kids though, you never can let that go. Well, I never could anyway. As hard as it is for a stranger like me to think about the death of a child from time to time, I can only imagine what the family must endure all the time. You can never be the same person you were before. Impossible.
Thanks Don. I’ll try not to put you through that!
I was just remarking on how some just throw life away, to my other half the other day. My young buddy has had over 10 teams of doctors treating him. That is so many many people as each team is made up of so many. All working so hard to ensure he makes a recovery, even the weeks it looked unlikely. Such is how highly they valued life. Even this little boy was flown over by airforce plane to london in an effort to save him. I suppose for me it renews my faith in people, when you see how much they care. At least they tried, maybe in time this will give a small comfort to his family.
It’s devastating to lose a child, especially one who has not had a chance to really live yet. My prayers and thoughts are with this family and I hope that they can find solace in the fact that their wee one is out of pain and is at peace.
No words can ever be the right ones when it comes to a tragic loss such as this.
Thank you. It was all so quick. So often I shake my head as it is hard to believe… for them impossible.
It’s so hard to decide whether it’s more merciful if they go quickly…or linger so we have more time with them. Either way…the pain is overwhelming and I am so saddened that the world will never know this beautiful child.
I did want to say that I’m so glad that the “Warrior” has improved! Great news there!
Thank you. It is such a mixed emotion, as a few weeks ago it was looking very bleak for my young warrior, now only a few weeks later we are facing what we feared with someone else.
He really has come on so well, but is still very sick which is scary, but definitely much much better than he has been for many weeks so small steps. It’s lovely to know so many are thinking of him and willing him well.
i am so sad to read this and i know there is much sadness where you are. hugs to all and see you when you are ready. ) b
Thanks so much. I am sure I will be back real soon, it’s just I can’t imagine wanting to write much over the next couple of days. Thanks as always for your kind words and of course hugs.
And all I know to say is I can’t imagine their grief. I echo your “codladh samh”, it seems so lovely and soft.
You’re right on no level can we comprehend what this tragedy is for them or how they will cope with their grief. The expression “codladh samh” is pronounced “Culla sawve”. I think it is a lovely soft gentle wish, in this case used in death but can be used as a “Goodnight” especially suitable for young children. Irish really is a beautiful language.
It is truly beautiful. I want to remember this.
Such a beautiful yet sad title for a post. Do take care Tric. My thoughts are with you and the little boy’s family…
Thanks so much. I do love this expression and we will certainly be saying it to him many times this evening and tomorrow.
My thoughts are with you and the family of that little boy. It’s so sad when little ones pass…I sadly witness this from time to time at my job. It’s heart wrenching to watch the families. It’s just not fair for death to happen in the wrong order! I hope for healing and am sending a giant hug to surround your whole community!
Thanks Tia. You are right there is nothing fair about this. What a nightmare for them, one they can never wake up from.
Oh Tric I am so sorry. Loss just plain sucks. There’s no “I’m sorry, feel better” to send you away with, so I send you with this. Hold your family tight, and above all, hang onto God. Broken hearts mend, but it’s a rough and lengthy job, but with good thoughts and prayers and knowing that we all care about you helps the mending. Hugs to you and as always, email if you need anything, even if it’s sad-I don’t mind at all. 🙂
You are so very kind. Your kind comment and hugs are very very much appreciated. Thank you.
My worst nightmare, and my own son has come so close… There are just no words.
*hugs*
My friend who has come close too gave me a real insight into what it might mean. I can only try to imagine although I know I don’t come close. It’s great your young man is doing well.
Thanks, Tric. I thank heaven for him every single minute…
I understand that you’re not in the mood for blogging…. big hugs, and I hope that you’ll be feeling happy again soon.
Thanks a million. The saddest day ever yesterday, and so many memories keep popping up of him, or the funeral. But for us life goes on unlike this boys family. I’ve a lot to be thankful for and I wont be moaning too much in the next few days!
Oh, I am so sorry to hear that, apologies, I missed this post the other day.
I can’t even begin to imagine how that must feel for the poor parents and your whole village, my sympathies are with you all xx
Thanks Lorna. A huge tragedy. I can only shake my head, as to imagine what it must feel like to lose a child is just too difficult.
thoughts, prayers, sympathy for the families~
Thank you. It is these days now after all the fuss and busyness of the funeral which are so difficult. I’m sure your thoughts and prayers are much needed.