JOSHUA DARREN CHARLES HAYWARD WAS BORN ON 21ST AUGUST 1995. A TINY 6LB BABY BOY WITH HUGE BLUE EYES AND LONG PIANO PLAYING FINGERS. THE ANAESTHETIST SAID HE HAD A VERY WISE LITTLE FACE FOR A NEWBORN BABY. I THINK HE WAS RIGHT.

THE PREVIOUS YEAR JOSHUAS SISTER EMMA HAD DIED AGED JUST 2 YEARS AND 8 MONTHS OLD. SHE HAD DIED OF A GENETIC SYNDROME SO RARE SHE WAS THE ONLY PERSON WITH IT. SHE WAS A TREASURE A REAL GOD GIVEN GIFT AND SHE LEFT A HUGE VOID IN OUR LIVES WHEN SHE DIED.

THERE WAS A 1 IN 4 CHANCE JOSHUA WOULD HAVE THE SAME SYNDROME AND WHEN HE WAS 4 DAYS OLD THE DR CAME TO TELL ME THAT MY PRECIOUS NEWBORN SON WAS IN FACT A TRISOMY BABY LIKE HIS SISTER. I REMEMBER LOOKING AT THE PERFECT BABY LAYING NESTLED ON A PILLOW ON MY HOSPITAL BED AND FEARING LOSING HIM AND FEELING THE GRIEF OF CHILD LOSS AGAIN.

IT JUST MADE THE LOVE WE ALREADY FELT FOR OUR SPECIAL LITTLE BOY EVEN STRONGER AND I TOOK HIM HOME TO BE WITH HIS 3 BIG BROTHERS MATTHEW, JAMES, AND SCOTT.

SO BEGAN THE 16 1/2 YEARS OF OUR LIVES IN THE COMPANY OF A TRUE ANGEL. A LITTLE PERSON WHO SHOWED AMAZING COURAGE IN THE FACE OF AN ILLNESS SO DEVESTATING IT WOULD TAKE HIS PRECIOUS LIFE AWAY FROM US.

JOSHUA YOU REALLY WERE GONE TO SOON. I WILL TELL YOUR STORY ON THESE PAGES IN MEMORY OF YOU AND YOUR PRECIOUS LEGACY. THANKYOU FOR THE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE YOU GAVE NOT JUST TO ME BUT TO EVERYONE WHO TOOK THE TIME TO KNOW YOU AND LOVE YOU. YOUR SMILE LIT UP THE ROOM AND I WOULD GIVE ALL I HAVE JUST TO SPEND ANOTHER MINUTE WITH YOU AND HOLD YOU IN MY ARMS . 

FOR NOW MY GORGOUS BOY REST. NO MORE PAIN NO MORE DISABILITY   YOU FLY WITH ANGELS NOW AND HEAVEN IS A BETTER PLACE FOR HAVING YOU THERE. I PROMISE TO KEEP YOU ALIVE FOREVER. I FEEL YOU IN MY HEART AND I WILL WRITE YOUR STORY FOR ALL TO READ.

GOD BLESS BABY BOY

MUMMY.XXX