Abbie has experienced something that no 6 year old should ever have to go through. I always knew life was short and to live it to the full but things like this always seemed to happen to somebody else. Then it happened to us - Weave died suddenly in the early hours of Monday morning on 24th September 2018.
Telling Abbie that Weave had died was the hardest thing I have done in my life. I could not bring him back - all I could do was be there for her and seek advice from the experts.
Pheonix Bereavement helped me with how to explain Weaves death and prepare Abbie for her Daddy’s funeral. It was phenomenal – a whole new world my eyes had been opened to. I knew deep down I had only one chance to get this right and how integral the support I could provide at this point could set her on course to heal in the best way she could. Pheonix guided me through this.
The support from Pheonix has been invaluable. The support will continue to be available to us until Abbie is 21 years old. We only require the socials now as she is doing so well. She gets a lot out of these, whether they are treasure hunts or craft sessions to planting a flower for Daddy, we meet other people in similar situations. And it helps, it really does. It shows Abbie she is not alone, there are others who have too lost someone close.
As Abbies Mamma, I could not be any prouder of her (and Sian her older sister) and the strength she has shown since.
My heart bursts with pride when I look at her. If I could give Abbie one thing in life, I would give her the ability to see herself through my eyes. Only then would she realise how special she is to me and how proud I am of her.
In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned in life – it goes on.
Wake up early, drink coffee, work hard and be ambitious. Keep your priorities straight, your mind right and your head up.
Do what you love. Love what you do.
