The room was full of people whose lives had been touched by this special child, each and every one of them with special memories of a time they spent with him that was precious and would be long remembered. This child, over the course of his short time with us, had lost the skills that he had gained as a baby and toddler and was at the end in need of extensive care to keep him going.
One could be forgiven for thinking that the quality of life for J was not good, but the people who met him and worked with him and cared for him ensured that this was not the case.
His parents worked tirelessly to ensure that he had the opportunity to experience what other children of his age were able to.
His wider family gave the love and support that J and his parents needed to continue the exhausting roundabout of care, work, appointments and activities that come with a child with special needs.
The doctors, nurses, carers, professionals and hospice workers, that cared, played, sang and laughed with J, helped to enrich his life experiences and keep him as well as he could be.
The teachers and assistants who painted, made music, played in the pool, relaxed in the soft play area, massaged and stimulated senses, laughed and cried with J and his Mother and Father were enriched from knowing and working with him.
I saw other children and families known from Helen House Hospice or school, who shared this grief and were there to say their 'goodbyes.' Parents helped their children to be part of the service wheeling their chairs to the casket bearing our little friend, and assisting them to put a flower onto it, supporting hands and arms where needed.
He has left a hole in our lives. Physically he is no longer with us, but the love he engendered; the feelings he wrought in others will never leave us. When we were with him we were better people, inspired to do wonderful things
When I stood up at his funeral with my guitar in my arms ready to sing J's favourite song, I looked out at this congregation of people, all of whom had spent time with this child, and that's when I saw angels. They were not glowing figures with wings, they were ordinary people who loved and cared and played with J, and in doing so were doing such important things for this little child and many others like him.
God does indeed work in mysterious ways, and we are all his angels and He works through us to help those who need us. The things that these 'angels' do is not just a job, it is so much more. J has left his hand print on our hearts and souls and we will always remember him.
Our hearts and prayers are with his parents and family.
