| Location | Motherwell |
| Age | 11 days |
| Cause of Death | Organ Failure |
| Date of Birth | 06/10/2006 |
| Date of Death | 17/10/2006 |
| Visitors | 8,170 since 30/12/2006 |
| Creator | |
| Helpers |
Emily was born on 6th October 2006. It had been a very eventful pregnancy, with episodes of
bleeding, a low placenta and then pre-eclampsia. These complications eventually led to placental
abruption and Emily was born by emergency cesarian section at just over 25 weeks gestation. Her
apgar scores at birth were good as I had been given steroids to develop her lungs only a week
earlier!
For the first week of her life, Emily fought well. We became more involved with her care, changing
her nappies, tube feeding her and everyday they would increase the volume of breastmilk given to
her.
Emily had some special people visiting her, including grandparents, aunties, uncles and special
friends, she would always be kicking and wriggling, entertaining her crowd!
When Emily had been born, they had found an open duct in her heart which is very common in premature
babies, they started her on medication to rectify this when she was 7 days old as she seemed to be
getting stronger. This is where things started to go wrong.
Emily developed septicaemia from the site in her umbilical cord where her lines were going in. Her
kidney's began to fail and she became very oedemic. She eventually was so swollen that she couldnt
move and because her kidney's were not excreting, the level of potassium in her body was dangerously
high, they suspected that this would result in cardiac arrest and immediate death.
They asked us if we wanted to have Emily baptised but we knew that God would take her straight to
Heaven regardless of whether or not she was baptised. We have a close relationship with our minister
so asked him to come and pray over Emily. One of the neonatal nurses was also a Christian and she
too took time to pray over Emily as did our friend.
Around 1.30am on 17th October, the hospital phoned to say that Emily's heart had stopped beating
twice already and that if we wanted to go to the unit we could. I didn't want to go, partly because
I thought she would pull through, partly because I had not slept for days and partly because I
didn't want to admit reality.
We did go up and were taken aside a little while later. We had noticed a few days earlier that Emily
had been having seizures constantly, from my experience with children with epilepsy I knew that this
was not good news. The consultant explained that Emily was not going to make it. Her brain had been
severely damaged by the seizure activity and her lungs had collapsed. She had effectively tried to
die three times already and bringing her back each time was serving no purpose other than giving us
more time with her. We agreed that should she stop fighting again, we would let her go.
Over the next few hours, Emily's condition deteriorated, she was in a constant state of seizure and
her body temperature was dropping. We knew that she was leaving us. Again, we were taken aside and
it was explained that Emily was only with us because the ventilator was keeping her lungs open. We
eventually had to agree with the recommendation that her machines be turned off and she be allowed
to die in my arms, rather than in an incubator surrounded by medical staff.
We watched as they took out her morphine line, her diazepam line etc etc. I then took her into my
arms and held her tight. Colin and I told her how much we loved her and watched as they took out her
ventilation tube, finally we could see her beautiful mouth, however it also meant watching her take
her last breaths. A few minutes later she left us.
Although Emily's life was far too short, the impact she made was amazing. We have raised over £2000
for Tommy's in memory of Emily and many people have been encouraged in their Christian faith because
of her.
We are so blessed to have been chosen to be her parents and only wish she could have stayed with us
longer.
"I'll lend you for a while a child of mine," He said.
"For you to love the while she lives and mourn for when she's dead.
It may be six or seven years, or twenty-two or three,
But will you, till I call her back, take care of her for me?
She'll bring her charms to gladden you, and should her stay be brief,
You'll have her lovely memories as solace for your grief."
"I cannot promise she will stay; since all from earth return,
But there are lessons taught down there I want this child to learn.
I've looked the wide world over in My search for teachers true
And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes I have chosen you.
Now will you give her all your love, not think the labor vain,
Nor hate Me when I come to call to take her back again?"
"I fancied that I heard them say, "Dear Lord, Thy will be done!
For all the joy Thy child shall bring, the risk of grief we run.
We'll shelter her with tenderness, we'll love her while we may,
And for the happiness we've known, forever grateful stay;
But should the angels call for her much sooner than we've planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand!"
God Bless Sweetheart
xxx
What Makes a Mother
WHAT MAKES A MOTHER?
I thought of you and closed my eyes and prayed to god today.
I asked what makes a Mother, and I know I heard him say.
A Mother has a baby, this we know is true.
But god can you be a Mother, when your baby’s not with you?
Yes, you can, he replied, with confidence in his voice,
I give many women babies, when they leave is not their choice.
Some I send for a lifetime, and others for a day.
And some I send to feel your womb, but there’s no need to stay.
I just don’t understand this god, I want my baby here.
He took a breath and cleared his thought, and then I saw a tear.
I wish I could show you, what your child is doing today.
If you could see your child smile, with other children and say…
“We go on earth to learn our lessons, of love and life and fear.
My Mummy loved me so much, I got to come straight here.
I feel so lucky to have a Mum, who had so much love for me.
I learned my lessons very quickly, my Mummy set me free.
I miss my Mummy oh so much, but I visit her each day.
When she goes to sleep, on her pillow’s where I lay.
I stroke her hair and kiss her cheek, and whisper in her ear,
Mummy don’t be sad today, I’m your baby and I’m here.?
So you see dear sweet one, your children are okay.
Your babies are here in my home, and this is where they’ll stay.
They’ll wait for you with me, until your lessons are through.
And on the day that you come home, they’ll be at the gates for you.
So now you see what makes a Mother, it’s the feeling in your heart.
It’s the love you had so much of, right from the very start.
Though some on earth may not realise, until their time is done.
Remember all the love you have, and know that you are a special Mum.
R.i.P Emily
Its always heartbreaking to read stories like that of Emily's, my thoughts and feelings are with you at this sad time. She is in a better place now xx
A heart of gold stopped beating,
two shining eyes at rest,
God broke our hearts to prove,
He only takes the best.
God knows you had to leave us,
but you did not go alone,
for part of us went with you,
the day He took you home.
Little Snowdrop
The world may never notice
If a Snowdrop doesn't bloom,
Or even pause to wonder
If the petals fall too soon.
But every life that ever forms,
Or ever comes to be,
Touches the world in some small way
For all eternity.
The little one we longed for
Was swiftly here and gone.
But the love that was then planted
Is a light that still shines on.
And though our arms are empty,
Our hearts know what to do.
Every beating of our hearts
Says that we love you.
God only takes the best
God walked around his garden,
and saw an empty space,
he then looked down from heaven,
and saw your tiny face.
He put his arms around you
and whispered; come and rest
his garden must be beautiful
for he only takes the best
God bless you, Emily
You were so loved and wanted, I was so excited and happy for your mummy when I found out that you were on the way. Play happily in Heaven with my little angel and know that there are lots of people who never met you, but love and miss you anyway.
My First Christmas in Heaven
I see the countless Christmas Trees around the world below,
with tiny lights, like heaven's stars, reflecting on the snow.
The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away that tear,
for I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.
I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear,
but the sounds of music can't compare with the Christmas choir up here.
I have no words to tell you, the joy their voices bring,
for it is beyond description, to hear the angels sing.
I know how much you miss me. I see the pain inside your heart,
but I am not so far away. We really aren't apart.
So be happy for me mum and dad, You know I hold you dear,
and be glad I'm spending Christmas, with Jesus Christ this year.
Why God Takes Children
When God calls little children
to dwell with Him above,
We mortals sometimes question
the wisdom of His love.
For no heartache compares with,
the death of one small child.
Who does so much to make our world,
seem so wonderful and mild.
Perhaps God tires of calling
the aged to His fold.
So He picks a rosebud
before it can grow old.
God knows how much we need them,
and so He takes but few.
To make the land of heaven
more beautiful to view.
Believing this is difficult
still somehow we must try.
The saddest word mankind knows
will always be Good-bye.
So when a little child departs,
we who are left behind,
Must realize God loves children.
ANGELS ARE HARD TO FIND!
The Visit
One night God came to visit me
and this is what he said,
'I need a special angel
to tend my flower beds'
Like the rose she needs to be
Perfect, pure and true,
and for this my precious one,
I have to come to you
God then took my baby
placed a halo round her head
as he turned and took her hand,
this is what he said,
'I know again I cause you pain
and that longing in your chest,
but find peace from knowing
I come only for the best'
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