2006 was a year to remember, The pain it caused would last forever, Tragedies struck one after the other, Falling upon us like an open shower. June 16 was the ill-fated day, the memory it brought was here to stay, Sarsh was diagnosed with the ghastly tumour, The news had spread and it was no rumour. The diagnosis had hit us like a ton of bricks, 'Cos the MRI scan was playing no tricks. We spoke to the doctor, who made the diagnosis, For a time it was as if we were under hypnosis. June 18 - It was Father's Day, Dad opened his presents while you went to play, At about 10, we had to leave home, And head for Oxford's hospital dome. We met with your doctor, who was waiting there, All the information he had ready to share, 3 days to 18 months you had to live, All our love, to you we had to give. Our lives were shattered; our lives were torn, We had to give up the only son I had bourne. We cried from the hospital, all the way back, and tried very hard to keep our life on track, We told you what you needed to know, The scans of the tumour to you I had to show. You were so strong, so brave and bold, We all were devastated, our bodies were cold, "I'll be okay, I'll be fine" you said, "I'm gonna fight it," were your words that rang in my head. We helped you believe it, making you stronger and stronger, But your time on this earth was getting no longer. Being as brave as you were, you continued with school, Me seeing you so strong, I felt like the fool. I believed you'd get better, time will heal, But your fate, God had chosen to seal, By the end of Feb, your balance was bad, We stopped you from school, but you were not sad. You celebrated the fact that you were to stay at home, Throughout your house, you could freely roam, From x-box to playstation to PSP you'd play, "I'm having so much of fun," you'd always say. How sick you were never troubled you, And you continued watching sky TV too. 14 March 2007-we went into London-Gran, you and me, Sarah the psychic we went to see. You fell very ill, you were semi-conscious now, I drove you home; I can't remember how. It was nearly five when we got you to the house, Dad and Priv were shocked; you were as quiet as a mouse, Dad, Priv and I couldn't carry you, you were as heavy as lead, Strange thoughts kept moving through my confused head. We managed to get you into the living room, Then began our nightmare, the start of your doom. We called for the doctor; she came there fast, "Go to the hospital," she said at last. We packed the bags; we took you there, We were given a room that the family could share. Mum stayed with you, throughout the night, The medication they gave you was such a fright. Thursday the 15th was a scary day, Dad went to work while mum had to stay, To listen to the doctor tell me your fate. It tore up my heartstrings; it made me hate, The God for-saken world, I'd grown to love. It no longer was a haven, a peaceful dove, The doctor said you had 48-72 hours to live, I had to call the family, the news I had to give, I couldn't bear the thought of such finality, I cried and cried just thinking of your frailty. You were struggling to breathe, you were gasping and gasping, You seemed to be choking, you were rasping and rasping. The hospital was filled with family and friends, Who cared about you, who kept you in trends. Tears were shed even by the nurses, we were so angry, we yelled out curses. Priv sat in the corner and prayed for you, She couldn't bear losing a brother and a best mate too, "He's gonna be fine, I know he'll get better!" over and over,she said this in a letter, Her confidence, I admired, her strength I praised, Two beautiful children I so proudly raised. You went into a coma, you couldn't talk, We couldn't leave your beside even for a short walk. Dad called the family in S.A to give them the bad news, Flying to England was what they did choose We held your hand tightly, we told you who was coming Your favourite tunes, mum was humming You wouldn't stir, your body was lifeless. Our life was shattered, it was such a mess We held your hand; we continued to pray We believed that God would heal you someday. From your coma you awoke, sat up on your bed, Started asking questions about thoughts in your head, Dad and I were so happy, we shed tears of joy God had given back our favourite boy. You said you were hungry, asked for toast My favourite uncles were coming, you started to boast. You asked for some youghurt, then went back to sleep But your sleep was no longer a sleep so deep. You constantly looked for mummy- you wanted me by your side You were too scared; your feelings you couldn't hide Friday you couldn’t stop smiling; you were so happy You spoke of your uncles and aunts- and no longer a puppy We were so happy; God had spared our little boy He filled us with hope and lots of joy. Saturday the 17, the family arrived in the morning You couldn't wait to leave the hospital from the time the day was dawning. You were unsteady on your feet and could no-longer walk, But that wasn't a hindrance as long as you could talk. You cried so much when you finally saw them, Tears of joy, you could no longer hide them. For a week they stayed and you thoroughly enjoyed it Even the severe headaches, you bravely fought it. Your beaming smile had never faded, You were still polite; your manners you never traded. But then it was time for them to leave, You were so sad, you started to grieve. The tears you shed broke every heart, But their journey back home, they had to start. Manny and Rody decided to stay They made you so happy, in the back garden you'd play, You threw water bombs and tried to play football, You had everyone running around, answering your call, Rody got you on your wheelchair and took you for a walk You were so devastated, you could hardly talk. The loss of your legs slowly killed you inside, But you tried to be strong, your feelings you'd hide There were times when you would cry, be frustrated, but take it in your stride. You felt so helpless, being unable to move For a child that was active and always in the groove you were now devastated with nothing to prove. However to those around, you'd always play strong 'Cos you never wanted pity, you thought it was wrong. When Radhie, Manny and Rody finally left you, You were so miserable; you were upset too. From then on you'd cling to only your mother, You didn't want the others to fuss or bother. You drew me into your web of love, We got closer and closer, like a hand in a glove. You couldn't do anything on your own, If anyone tried helping, you'd give a loud moan. It had to be mum to bath you and dress you and tuck you in at night We'd talk about happy things that would make you so bright. You often told me how grateful you were for the things I did, You were so proud of how I filled my life into a grid. You told me you'd never live without me, 'Cos i made life so easy for you to see. I couldn't help you with your pain 'Cos the changes were too significant in your brain. You told me many things in your own secret way, I never quite understood it until that ill-fated day. God handpicked you to fill in the gap God planned your route, he showed you the map. You had to leave, you had no choice, 'Cos by Friday the 18th of May, you'd even lost your voice. I lay next to you from about ten o'clock, Your hands and mine were in a lock. When I spoke to you, you opened your eyes To show me you loved me amidst my cries. You squeezed my hands tight to show me you care, To leave your side, I wouldn't dare. About 15:30, I went to call Dad He had been downstairs, oh so sad. Once I left you, your chose to depart To die in front of me, you didn't have the heart. I ran upstairs to see your mouth blue, I thought it was a seizure but that wasn't true. Priv got your medication ready for you Dad called the doctor, he had to. Mum tried frantically to call your name Hoping for once you were playing a silly game. The doctor arrived, he knew you were bad He didn't say much, we could see he was sad. Mum lit the lamp and continued to pray, When the doctor tapped my shoulder with words to say "Sue, come to Sarsh, he is slowly dying!" My heart was broken, I couldn't stop crying. Priv was so brave, she tried to revive you, She tried giving you mouth to mouth to resuscitate you. Dad tried frantically to bring back his boy, But the doctor told Priv and Dad they would have no joy. "Leave him to die in peace" was what he softly said, These words are still fresh in my head. At 16:05 your life finally went, Leaving our lives with a great big dent. How do we live without you son? Our lives feel empty, we have no fun, The light of our lives was taken away part of our lives are in darkness 'cos there's no-one to play, Tricks on the family or control the T.V, Or have arguments and fights with your sis,Privy. Son, I can't wait for the day we finally meet, Walk together in heaven's pastures and other family we'll greet, Catch up on lost time, every moment of it, We'd talk for hours and then we will sit. To talk about our future in years to come, while you strum your guitar and mum starts to hum, recalling the days we spent on earth amidst the laughter and the mirth. Once we unite, I'll never leave you out of my sight I'll do anything for you, my bright light. Whenever you want mum, she'll always be there, to show you she loves you, to show you she cares. Life becomes unbearable with every passing day, I feel empty inside; my life has no way. Guide me and protect me from this dangerous world, Where death occurs daily and abuse is hurled, With you watching over me, I know I'll be safe and sound To your caring arm, I'll always be bound. Be the guardian angel that watches over all those you love And we'll think of you as our peaceful white dove. We love you my son. MUM