The Little Helper

This weekend is all about my good friend Sarah. Sarah, David and their sweet boy Ezra. Ezra is an adorable baby, as you can see for yourself on Sarah's blog. I miss him so much with his parents, who I am now so happy to call my friends. I wish this weekend was so different for them.

In Hebrew, Ezra means Helper. I know even though Ezra wont be blowing out any first birthday candles, or enjoying a large piece of cake surrounded by family and friends, he has still helped his Mummy and Daddy so much this year since his short life, untimely death then his birth.

He has taught them so much about love and life on this journey of grief and heart ache they have tragically found themselves on. He gave them the great gift of parenthood. He has helped them to appreciate all that is good in the world and to know what is really important. The lessons Ezra has for his Mum and Dad will continue to be learnt for the rest of Sarah and David's lives. He will always be their Little Helper.

Maybe Ezra even had a hand in helping to bring about the new life that now swells within Sarah's belly? The Sunflower, Ezra's brother. Maybe Ezra will also play a hand in ensuring Sunflower's safe transition in to this world - from the warmth and safety of his Mama's belly in to the waiting arms of both his adoring parents. I hope Ezra can help to make sure his brother comes home from hospital with Sarah and David, I really do.

This time last year, Sarah started out her day like any other. But later, after an unexpected turn of events, she rushed to hospital where she would learn little Ezra had slipped away in that safe and warm place inside her. The place where we like to think no harm can come to our babies. She was well in to her third trimester. Everything had been perfect so far. Carrying Ezra had been such a joy for her. No one could have ever imagined it would end like this. Least of all Sarah and David. And I'm always still stunned to read about this happening to another woman. Stops me in my tracks every time.

The next day, Sarah would labour like the billions of women on this earth have done before her. But there would be no happy ending. No cries of a newborn, no new baby nursing at the breast, no excited family or friends rushing in to visit with arms full of gifts. Instead, they would return home empty handed and broken hearted a couple of days later to sit Shiva and then bury their lost son. It is all too sad for words.

This weekend, on the first anniversary of Ezra's death and on his first birthday to be celebrated in the stars, I am thinking of Sarah, David and their Little Helper, Ezra. Their little baby with the cheeky grin who tragically got away. The little boy who I wish was here so much.

He is remembered with much love by new friends and old friends the world over.