| Location | Cardiff |
| Age | 0 |
| Date of Birth | 9/2002 |
| Date of Death | 9/2002 |
| Visitors | 3,952 since 09/04/2006 |
| Creator |
Our son Will was born at 1pm on September 9, 2002, weighing 7lbs 7oz. He lived for just 15 minutes, but those few minutes were incredibly precious and we wouldn't have missed them for the world.
I was 12 weeks pregnant when my husband and I were told that our unborn first child was 'incompatible with life' and could not possibly survive.
He had a rare genetic condition called Meckel Gruber Syndrome, which has a 100% mortality rate.
It was assumed by many people that we would automatically terminate the pregnancy, but for us, that was not an option we could consider.
Will was a much-wanted child, and from the moment we knew he had been conceived, we loved him.
We were told he would live for only minutes, or even seconds, if he survived to birth - but we knew we wanted to have whatever time with him that we could - to hold him, see him and tell him how much we loved him. If he had lived a month, or a week, or a day - how could we draw the line? How could we possibly decide what length of life was worth having and what was not?
We felt it was not our decision to make.
I knew that I could survive grief, but had I made the decision to end Will's life, I knew that guilt would eat me up from the inside out.
We made the most of every minute of my pregnancy, and approached the date of my c-section - Will's birthday - with very mixed feelings. On one hand we wanted him to stay where he was safe, while on the other we were desperate to meet our little boy - knowing all the time that our first cuddle would also be our last.
Even at that point, we had no doubts and no regrets. Will was delivered, and after being given a blast of oxygen, my son was put into my arms.
All parents think their child is beautiful, and we were no exception. He wrapped his tiny fingers around mine, and poked his tongue out at us.
We were thrilled beyond words that he had been born alive - which meant he would have a birth certificate as well as a death certificate. Anyone trawling through our family history in years to come would know that there was once a little boy named Will Turner.
As I held him I sang him the lullabies my mother had sung to me, and we told him how much we loved him, how proud we were of him and that his Nanny and Grandpa were waiting just outside to meet him.
Then his daddy held him - I was so proud to see my husband and my son together at last.
Will gradually slipped away as we held him, and as we were moved to the recovery room a nurse told us she could no longer hear his heartbeat.
There was no shock, no panic, and strangely enough, no outpouring of grief. Just a sense of joy that we had met our beloved son and a feeling of 'rightness' about everything that had just happened.
We now have another son, Charlie, who is almost four and a half at the time of writing. He has his own webpage at http://charlieturner.blogspot.com. (You will need to remove the space which has appeared between the 'O' and the 'G' in the web address) Although he has escaped the condition Will was born with, he has a major heart defect called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, and has already undergone two open-heart surgeries, with at least one more to come. His future is by no means certain, as treatment for his condition is still relatively new. However, Will has taught us much about how precious life is, and we treasure every minute of every day with Charlie. He knows about his big brother, and says 'Goodnight' to him every night. We always talk about him, and he knows that Will is keeping an eye on him.
We will be glad forever that Will was born, that he gave us those 15 precious minutes, and that because of him, we became parents, and learned what love really is.
"Think not in grief that he is no more; but in thankfulness that he once was".
Sleep tight, little darling, we'll see you in the morning. XXX
Gone but not forgotten
Hi. I found your blog through Susie's blog. You're story is amazing and I am so happy that you had 15 precious minutes with Will. While it breaks my heart to hear of his passing, I know that he is resting with the Lord. It's wonderful that you carried him and chose to let God decide when to bring him home. You allowed him 15 minutes in this world and that is such a blessing. God bless you and your family.
Happy Fifth Birthday, Will
We can hardly believe that it has been five years today since you entered the world. We miss you every day Will, and Charlie is always talking about what you must be getting up to in Heaven. We'll be sharing your cake with Nanny and Grandpa, like always, and have some lovely flowers to bring you. Happy Birthday darling boy, we love you. xxx
so sorry xxxxxxxxxx
I'm just a little baby
Who didn't quite make it there;
I went straight to be with Jesus,
and I am waiting for you here.
Don't you worry about me mommy,
I am of all God's lambs most blessed;
I would have loved to stay with you,
but the Shepherd knows whats best.
So dear mommy, don't you sorrow,
wipe those tears and chase the gloom,
I went to be with Jesus,
Straight from my mommy's womb.
Thank-you for the life you gave me,
it was brief but I don't complain;
I have all of Heaven's glories,
Will suffer none of the earthly pain.
Daddy gave me something for you,
It's our secret, Mommy dear,
He pressed it tight against my forhead,
and he whispered in my tiny ear.
I'll be waiting for you, Mommy,
For You and Daddy both.
I'll be with you forever,
Then I'll give you Daddy's kiss
SWEET LITTLE WILLIAM X
your tribute to your beautiful little baby is wonderful and very moving, your little one is your guardian angel now watching over his mommy daddy and family X
HE'S WITH YOU WHEN YOUR SLEEPING
HE'S THERE WHEN YOU AWAKE
HE'S NEXT TO YOU WHATEVER YOU DO
BECAUSE THE BONDS TOO STRONG TO BREAK....
You are not alone
I was so touched when i read about your beautful baby. My daughter was also told that her baby would not be able to survive. She was born on 7th Dec and lived for 30 min. The pain a family feels can not be described and is only truly understood by those who have experienced the loss of a child. I hope knowing that you are not alone and that others are thinking about you can ease your pain. My love and sympathy, Allison xx
His Journey's Just Begun
His Journey’s Just Begun
Don't think of him as gone away,
his journey's just begun.
Life holds so many facets,
this earth is only one.
Just think of him as resting,
from the sorrows and the tears.
In a place of warmth and comfort,
where there are no days and years.
Think how he must be wishing,
that we could know today...
How nothing but our sadness
can really pass away.
And think of him as living
in the hearts of those he touched...
For nothing loved is ever lost
and he was loved so much!
xxx
Go rest now precious one,
Your life in eternity has just begun.
Now you can walk, your legs are brand
new.
All of heaven is now in your view.
Look all around,it's all in your sight,
There will never be another dark night.
Flowers and jewels, the street of pure gold,and all of the things that have been told.
I can just imagine the smile on your face as you walk all around in that beautiful place.
Greeting our loved ones as you walk along,while singing heaven's most beautiful song.
This is so very hard,but it will all be okay,it isn't goodbye,we'll see you one day.
We love you and we'll miss you and at times it will be tough,but as with everything,God's grace will be enough
Will Turner - A wonderful little boy. Xx
Your son sounds amazing, im very touched by this and you are wonderful parents you are well and truly blessed.
My youngest daughter Helena Grace has got the dreadful condition Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, like your 2nd son Charlie.
Our lives have changed so much but for the better i would say, we now live for today and treasure every single day with Helena im sure you do just the same.
Stay strong, you are very special parents with two very special children.
Im sure that Will is watching over his special family always.
Lots of love from Sam Lilley ( Helena's mummy HLHS ) XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
I stumbled across this page by accident and I leave truly touched by your bravery and love for your child. I wish Charlie good health for the future and I'm sure Will is in Heaven watching over him, protecting him just like every big brother would.
With love and best wishes.
What an incredibly brave decision - I have nothing but admiration for you. William is very lucky to have such amazing parents.
x
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