you were just a dream, a wish,
a prayer flying free at the break of dawn;
a yearning heart in the early morn.
And then one day, a time or two ago,
you became a realised hope,
and postponed plans didn’t stop your spirit,
eyes on a life, and ready to live it!
I saw strength beyond compare
when you returned from doctors’ care,
thawed out and ready for your new home,
a warm, safe place to call your own.
So you were safely transferred there,
and clung on, breathing your Mummy’s air,
you grew and refused to give in,
bloomed and kept on blossoming.
And even before we saw your face,
we knew you were Liliana Grace,
and no matter what would come your way,
you’d overcome obstacles every day.
Crafted carefully,
perfectly formed,
soon you were a baby soft and warm,
and decided it was time to meet your family
even if a little too early!
I can’t tell you how loved you are,
your very existence a shining star,
you put a smile on everyone’s lips,
whenever they saw you, it was pure bliss.
Your Mummy and Daddy were besotted before first sight,
you became their beam of light
in the darkness of a cruel, harsh world,
too cruel and harsh for such a sweet girl.
Your journey had not been an easy one,
and even on arrival, the struggles went on,
but you proved yourself to be the strongest of fighters
defying even the belief of the doctors!
And every time I saw you in that cot,
body shaking with every breath that you took,
I couldn’t help but be strengthened by you;
your resilience and bravery shining through.
It wasn’t long before your parents declared,
her strength is unparalleled, can’t be compared,
with both beauty and spirit defying what we expect
she is, of course, our warrior princess.
And that is why when you had no fight left,
when we had to watch you take your very last breath,
there was nothing at all that could be said
to fill the gaping hole that your presence left.
Never before has someone so tiny,
proved themselves to be so very mighty,
and if any of us have an iota of you
within our hearts then we’ll somehow pull through...
Because now you are the strength in our hearts,
we are changed people, though broken in parts,
inspired by way that you lived your short life,
and saddened to watch you to heaven take flight.
But we’ll never forget your ballerina toes,
your very long fingers, your cute button nose,
and I’m so thankful that you fell from above
because now I know the real meaning of love.
