17 July 2008

Today was Emily's 15th Birthday!!

It may be ironic but Emily was a girl full of life and always loved to celebrate her birthday no matter how big or small the party.

We feel firstly we need to talk about Em's 14th Birthday because today brings back many special memories both good and sad.  Although, tragically Em's 14th Birthday was celebrated in University College Hospital, London, she was with us and how wonderful that was.  Emily had been so unwell and had just come out of Intensive Care the previous day and we were not sure how we could ever make her day special.  However, for any of you who knew Emily or was involved, she had a truly special day.

Thanks to some very special friends Emily had a room and feast fit for a Princess.  The day began with our friends, Anita and Dawn arriving with the biggest pink balloon I had ever seen, along with pink flashing-light birthday sash and to complete the outfit a fluffy pink boa.  They then decorated the room before going off to collect afternoon tea, compliments of the Head Chef at the Lansborough Hotel, Paul, Anita's husband.  Emily felt so special and important she could not take the smile off her face.

Emily had met Sarah the Duchess of York and Princess Beatrice when they visited the Teenage Cancer Unit, and on that day Em was extremely ill, however she made every effort to talk to them and they were visibly touched by her.  During the conversation it was mentioned that it would soon be Emily's 14th Birthday, the Duchess responed by promising to remember her on her birthday.  Amazingly on the day her PA arrived with a Jane Asher cake in the style of a Colchester United football shirt, and a beautiful Links bracelet.  Emily was made to feel like a Princess.

Her day continued with special friends, family, nurses, Consultants, doctors and many teenage patients arriving to sing and celebrate her birthday with her.  We could not have hoped for a better day for her, given the situation, and I know Em really appreciated it.  Although she was very tired and weak, Emily in her usual way managed to enjoy the day and never stopped smiling.

Emily's 15th Birthday

This year her birthday was even more difficult, for reasons that need no explanation, we knew we had to find the strength to celebrate her day.  We decided we could not let her birthday pass without a celebration and I set about organising an event, which I knew she would love.  Of course it was another most painful reminder of what we had lost and I know everyone of us found it so challenging, but we all knew Emily would not want us to sit at home and cry alone!!

The service was held in Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, Wickford.  This was the church in which Emily had been brought up, so it was right and fitting.  The essence of the service was for her close school friends and best friend Emily Kenny to be involved and there was singing, which included a song written and performed by her school friends, 'We Will Always Remember You', scripture readings and a dance performed by some fo her school friends.

The Service began with a Scripture Reading - from book of Ecclesiastes: -

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

A time to be born and a time to die;                                   
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;      
A time to break down, and a time to build up;                     
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;                                   
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;                              
A time to throw away stones and a time to gather stones together                                                                           
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 
A time to seek, and a time to lose;                                    
A time to keep, and a time to throw away;                         
A time to tear, and a time to sew;                                      
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;                       
A time for war, and a time for peace.

Everything has been made suitable for its time.

Hymns with special meaning to Emily were sung.

Words to Em on her 15th Birthday-read by Colleen

Today is a special day not just because it is Emily's birthday, but what makes it extra-special is, in the absence of Emily, we are all here to acknowledge and celebrate what an amazing, brave and inspirational young lady she was.

Although it may be difficult to think about celebrating Emily's life without Emily, what we are celebrating is how she touched our lives in a very special and individual way.  She has given us all many memories, and I am sure we will cherish and embrace the time we had with her.

I know Emily would be both honoured and amazed at how much she is thought of and how her memory lives on.

We would like to thank each and every one of you for your individual contributions to the memory of Emily our wonderful daughter.  It has been a very difficult year for all of us and we know everyone here has played an important part in Emily's journey and experience.  She valued your special friendships and contributions, which made such a difference in those very difficult days.

Our aim today is to make this a positive celebration of Emily's life and I know she would want us to remember her with laughter and joy in our hearts, qualities that she herself possessed throughout her life.

Who could never forget her wonderful smile, (Emily's school gave us a book of remembrance in which the students reflected on what Emily meant to them and I quote),

To Emily                                                                             
I never got a chance to know you properly, but I will always remember your glorious smile.

Em
Thanks for being such a great friend.  I will always remember your stunning smile and how you always made me laugh.

Emily
Thank you for being such a great person.  Your warm smile could brighten up anyone's day.

To the girl who always smiled.

Emily
Even though we never really knew each other, you would still smile at us in the corridors.  You are a hero!

Emily had many other qualities - she could be a little bossy (not sure who she got this from, but I think it was her dad!) 

She had many girlie qualities - such as 'shopping till you drop' and I recall even between chemo courses Emily still had to go shopping.  In-fact it was me that dropped, with Emily saying only 3 more shops to go, mum!

And although, Emily was a girlie girl she had a passion and love for football, an interest that was to keep her entertained and motivated throughout her illness.

I know we would all agree by her bravery throughout her illness what a special girl she was.  We can only imagine just what she might have accomplished given her character and personality and tonight we pay tribute to our beautiful daughter.

She would be totally amazed at how many people continue to show their love for her and we would like to thank you all on behalf of Emily, a wonderful, brave and inspirational young lady.

Rembering Emily - by some friends from Brentwood Ursuline School - during the singing all present came forward to light and place a votive candle close to Emily's photograph.

Reflection - 'Footprints'

Emily & The Teenage Cancer Trust - few words said about Emily's wishes to help other teenagers with cancer.

Smilie Faces - sung by Gnarles Barclay was played as everyone left the church - this song had a special meaning to Emily.

After the celebration most of the poeple attending the service joined us at home to raise a glass to our wonderful daughter Emily.

We completed the evening with a candle lit vigil in the garden and everyone sung 'You are not alone', by Michael Jackson.

This too will be a very memorable day because so many special friends and family joined us to remember Emily on her 15th Birthday in a remarkable way.  We know Emily would be delighted and amazed just how much she was loved and by so many.

Thank you to everyone who attended and a special thanks to all her wonderful friends for their loyalty to Em and continued support to us.

Colleen & Stuart xxx