Our Beautiful Bethany
When Bethany was born we were told she was special because of the many medical and physical needs she had that needed tending to every day.
However, it very quickly became apparent that Bethany’s specialness was in fact far greater than this.
Beth’s beautiful soul was present from the moment she was born. She had such a gentle nature which was inherent. Bethany could fill a room with sunshine and had the ability to bring kindness and gentleness out in everyone she met. Even my own crazy, boisterous little boys became much calmer and showed a lovely caring side in her presence. Although she loved their noise - in fact the noisier the better as far as Bethany was concerned which is just as well really as we always brought lots of noise with us!
Despite all of her difficulties, rarely did she show any of the frustration or the pain she may have felt. Bethany simply radiated happiness, she couldn’t have been a happier little girl. She may not have been able to speak, however, she loved to giggle and when she giggled the whole room stopped and giggled with her.
Bethany couldn’t have been any more loved by everyone who knew her
and I know that if she had been able to speak she would want to thank dad, Emma and the girls as well as many others of you here for everything you have done for her.
She couldn’t have have had 2 more loving parents and Dad and Emma have fought tirelessly over the years to ensure that Beth was properly cared for and lived the best life that she could. Their dedication towards Beth was and still is endless whilst ensuring that Keira and Gracie felt equally as loved and lived as normal a life as possible whilst tending to Bethany’s many needs. They never ever grumbled at the huge challenges they faced and just ploughed on with the job in hand with complete and utter devotion. There are not many people who could have coped as well as they have over the years with the countless hospital stays and constant worry about Beth’s health.
When Bethany was a baby, we were told that we wouldn’t have her for very long. However, as the years went by and she continued to defy the odds I think everyone forgot about that prognosis. Even when a year and a half ago we were told her there wasn’t much more that could be done to help her she managed to rally several more times and not only celebrate her 18th birthday but one more for luck too. The fact that we got to love and cherish her for 19 years is amazing and I know Dad and Emma want to celebrate this today.
I truly believe the reason she defied the odds and lived for as long as she did is because of this endless love that surrounded her everyday. She knew she was deeply loved. There couldn’t have been a more loved little girl and, to quote a phrase I found
, I honestly believe that
“if love alone could have saved her , she would have lived forever “
Bethany has left a huge empty hole however we must also celebrate the fact that she achieved 19 years of radiating happiness into everyone’s lives. Not bad for a little girl who we were told we wouldn’t have for very long
Wherever a beautiful soul has been there leaves a trail of beautiful memories.
Dad and Emma have asked me to read a poem so perhaps we could take a moment to reflect upon some of these now.
God’s Garden by Melissa Shreve
God looked around his garden
And found an empty place,
He then looked down upon the earth
And saw your tired face.
He put his arms around you
And lifted you to rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful
He always takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering
He knew you were in pain.
He knew that you would never
Get well on earth again.
He saw the road was getting rough
And the hills were hard to climb.
So he closed your weary eyelids
And whispered, ‘Peace bethine’.
It broke our hearts to lose you
But you didn’t go alone,
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.
Marie
17th January 2023