Remembering Bethany

It was four years ago today that Bethany lost her battle to CHD (congenital heart defects). She was diagnosed in utero and her father, Dan English, went online to find information and support. That's how I came to know them.. (Dan, Jo & kids)... there's no way we'd meet in person since Dan & co live in the UK. At any rate, we became good friends even when Bethany was called "Bump". After many ups and downs she went home and flourished. She was like my Jessica... she would get "blue" and have to sit down after a short walk and her smiling lips would turn purple. She truly was an angel here on earth. She earned the nickname "Little Moo". hehe

Sadly, she earned her wings after multiple complications following a very complicated heart surgery. I knew things were turning for the worse and several of my online friends and I were chatting about it. I called the hospital in England and spoke to Dan himself. He knew at that time that she was gone... but her body remained there... barely. My heart broke when he said, "no parent should ever have to bury a child". I don't know if he remembers saying that but it's true. No parent should ever have to bury a child... and yet my sister did it just 4 months ago... and I know eventually I will have to. It's hard...

But what if I had never "met Bethany? Her life truly enriched mine. I remember many of her antics... she wore her mum's undies on her head and danced around, tried drinking from the dog's bowl, climbed on her older brother, Jaysen all the time and of course had her daddy's and mum's heart strings tied around her finger. She went through so much in her little lifetime and would always bounce back. She truly reminded me of Jessica. Only the last time she couldn't bounce back. She had other things to do. She is greatly missed but she still touches many hearts around the world.

Bethy, you are loved and I know that some day I'll get to meet you in person. Until then, dance all you want - you won't get blue!