I’ve always been the type of person to read tragic stories in the news and struggle not to cry. And, like a lot of people, reading about poorly children or parents losing their child has always been the hardest.
My husband, James, and son, Frankie, meant everything to me and I couldn’t imagine how others coped with such adversity. But then, two years ago, my family became the subject of one of those tragic stories.
In 2008, James, then 26, and I began dating and, five years later, we married in Dublin. We both wanted children and, while we didn’t expect it to happen quite so quickly, just a short time later, I had a positive pregnancy-test result.
‘We’re going to be parents,’ we kept repeating, elated at the thought of welcoming a baby.
Frankie was born on 23 January 2016, weighing 5lb 14oz, and every little bit of him was perfect, from his blond locks to his deep-blue eyes. The very first time I held him, I felt that indescribable love that everyone had told me about. He was healthy and safe, and wholly dependent on me and James to protect him.
As Frankie grew, we loved seeing him become a kind, cheeky little boy. He had a particular affinity for Play-Doh, and would make brightly-coloured pretend food, like a cake or an ice cream, and try to feed it to us while we laughed along, saying how yummy it was.
He loved painting, too, and with his constant smile, there wasn’t a lot he couldn’t get away with.
As Frankie got a little bit older, we enjoyed holidays to Spain and Ireland, and he loved exploring new places. In Spain, he’d only just learned to walk, and he loved wandering around the resort, clutching our hands for support. It was lovely watching him toddle along the sand and take tentative steps into the sea.
この記事は WOMAN - UK の October 12, 2020 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は WOMAN - UK の October 12, 2020 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
The benefits of waking up early
I can almost feel my daughters rolling their eyes at the thought of me writing about the joys of waking up early.
'Rylan makes me MILLIONS!
The presenter talks about his love life, professional success and his alter ego
GATSBY
He needed a home, but was Maria barking to even consider taking him in?
My mindset MAKEOVER
After losing 4st, the future is bright for Hazel James
Eat more WEIGH LESS
Feel fuller while losing weight with our exclusive plan from Slimming World
Autumn tricks YOU NEED TO KNOW
Stop cold, dark nights disturbing your sleep with these expert cheats
'HARRY WILL NOT BE BACK'
Reports of Prince Harry wanting to return to the UK and royal duties are, I’m told, ‘completely wrong’.
'I'M HONOURED to still be part of Strictly'
Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke on the hit show and why he'll never retire
Would you keep CANCER A SECRET?
Model Elle Macpherson revealed she kept her battle with the disease hidden - we find out why many others choose to do the same
'Ruth has handled the split WITH DIGNITY'
Coleen Nolan on grief, supporting Ruth Langsford through divorce and moving in with boyfriend Michael Jones