Dying young...forever young.

Just getting a few thoughts down here...typing through tears...


We heard the devastating, tragic news tonight that the beautiful Rachael Wakefield has died after a long battle against a rare lung disease that started affecting her breathing in her early teens.  She was just 23 years old when she died, 18 months after receiving brand new lungs!  An inspirational young lady who had been on the news and in the papers countless times for her dedication to  getting people to sign up to the organ donor register.  I didn't know Rachael personally but we had chatted a lot on facebook.  Throughout her own difficult illness, she was always so willing to make new friends and chat to people about anything and everything.  I hope now she is pain free and can breathe easy.  Thinking of her close friends and family! xxx


Before I met Kev, 'death and dying' were not really part of my life.  I had only lost one person and that was Nanny Bess.  I didn't have a great understanding of long term illnesses and the strength that people have to have to get through everyday.  Over the years, I have heard about so many young lives coming to an end.  To name a few - Anna Le-Ontour, Jessica Wales and Nicole Pisani Frame who were all in their 20's when they so tragically died.  Its so sad to say that I have had to become quite familiar with 'death' but it doesn't become any easier when we hear of another young glowing candle burning out...!


Everytime, I get so upset.  There is nothing so sad as someone dying so young.  Its just not natural.  To quote my mother in law : "A person that loses a partner is called a widow,  A child who loses a parent is an orphan.  There is no word to describe someone who loses their child - the loss is like that of no other!"  Thinking of the mums of all these young lives lost.


When both of my Nanny's died, I was devastated but in time, came to realise that they were at the end of their wonderful lives and even though heartbreaking, their time?  But there is nothing natural about someone dying so young - nothing at all.


After Kev and I got married, I wanted to update all of our photo frames and picked out a new one of his sisters Yvonne and Marie and then found myself looking at the photo of Gina....knowing we will never be able to update her picture for a more recent one.  Knowing she will never get old......forever young!  So sad for my mum and dad-in-law knowing that they will never see their baby girl grow older, get married, have children....I cannot even imagine how they must struggle to get through every day without one of their children by their side.... Amazing people xxx


Anyway, I would like to dedicate this blog to Rachy - such an inspirational young lady who touched more lives than she will ever realise.


Fly high and breathe easy, beautiful angel! xxxx