For many of our staff at Edward’s Trust our work isn’t just a job, our work is our passion. Many have a personal experience of bereavement and the love for a lost one drives their work. Some of our Corporates, volunteers and supporters know Lucy, our Engagement Manager’s story and they will know that before working for us she herself had support from Edward’s Trust after losing her son Jack. Today would have been Jack’s 9th birthday and Lucy shares the impact and pain of that loss, not just on the day itself, but in every subsequent year without him.
‘Another year passes & the day arrives where I should be running into my little boys bedroom, waking him up with kisses & cuddles to say ‘Happy 9th Birthday Jack’… & the pain it brings that I can’t physically do that, still hurts so much, even 9 years on. Of course, it’s going to rain – this little monkey always brings me rain ☔️ & every anniversary since 2014…. it has rained!
But, another year passes… and what has this year brought?… I have jumped out of a plane for you, took on the fastest zip wire in the world for you & abseiled down the tallest building in Birmingham for you, these crazy things were never on my radar… but it’s ALWAYS for you, Jack!
Jack, you have totally changed me as a person & as a Mommy & you come with me wherever I go, that will never change! Nell & Archie continue to remember you, they make & buy keepsakes & send them to you everyday. Your big sister is 11 now, she asks me so many questions about you, I show her your photo’s, I tell her how special you were, how blonde you were, how long your legs were, and that you weighed 6lb 2oz & you were the complete image of her! Archie is now 8, he loves to go to your special garden, & blow bubbles, he understands that Mommy has 2 ‘best boys’ … him & you, that will always remain.
In the blink of an eye… my mind takes me back to 27th July, 2.37am, the heartbreak, the devastation, that empty feeling, hoping to wake from a bad nightmare – but I see my beautiful boy & everything he has taught me since & I know he changed my life forever. Happy 9th Birthday in the sky Jack… wherever you are fly high & shine bright today & go easy with the rain please, son! ☔️
Forever in my heart; JACK WILLIAM GOODWAY💙👼🏼💙 xxxxx’
Thank you Lucy for sharing your story with us today and for channelling that pain to be part of supporting others through grief. As someone who has had support from Edward’s Trust you have now raised an enormous £14,679.55 which equates to 146 hours of bereavement support for others earlier in their grief journey. We know it’s all for Jack…. Thank you. #FlyingTheKite #RememberingJack