On Friday, Vicki & I attended a Memory Day at the Shooting Star Chase Hospice for the families of children who are no longer with us.

Margot never actually spent any time at the hospice but following her death Shooting Star Chase kindly allowed Margot’s body to rest in their ‘Tranquil Room’ (a chilled environment) in the days leading up to her funeral and cremation.

We hung a star on a memory tree and attended a service where the names of every child was read out and candles were lit to remember them.

At the end of the service, all the families present tied ribbons together – a symbolic coming together, uniting us in grief. I’m not quite sure how that reads, but at the time & in the moment it felt like an extremely touching gesture. Balloons were later released outside, each of them remembering loved ones.

Also attending were Richard & Krista who were there in memory of their son Daniel; they’re just one of the courageous families we met during our time at Great Ormond Street Hospital. It was lovely to see them and also to meet their gorgeous 4 month old son, David. Like Oscar & Rufus, Daniel’s big sister Chloe wasn’t there on the day.

The Memory Book – a lovely gesture, beautifully presented. n.b. Margot died on 27 October (not 27 November – the date is being corrected)

We are very grateful to Shooting Star Chase Hospice and to all the staff there, in particular Sonia for her warmth and compassion; Sonia welcomed Vicki & I that day and looked after us.

Yaser

Husband to Vicki and father to Oscar (2007), Rufus (2008), Digby (2015), Humphrey (2017) & Margot (2012-2014)