Tommy Durell

WE THANK YOU FOR HAVING GIVEN HIM TO US

10 August 2001 – 10 November 2008

Lord, we do not complain because you have taken Tommy from us. Rather, we thank you for having given him to us.

Tommy was 7 years old when he died and had fought a long 4 year battle against a rare form of leukaemia.
During his treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital he had 3 bone marrow transplants, and twice his baby sister Gracie was the donor.

Tommy and his brothers Joe and Sam used to say that Gracie’s blood was the pink Power Ranger travelling inside him fighting all the bad leukaemic cells and for a long time that was the case. But sometimes even Power Rangers get defeated.

Tommy was so special. He was gentle and wise and our family peacemaker. He never complained, no matter how poorly he felt as long as he had his kisses and cuddles. And when he was well he embraced every second. He was, and always will be, our inspiration.

On Monday 10 November 2008, before Tommy slipped into his last sleep, he whispered “I love you”. The five of us stroked his head, held his hand and said goodbye.

This is for our Tommy, our beautiful baby boy, our beautiful brother, our beautiful grandson, our beautiful nephew, our beautiful cousin, our beautiful friend. And now forever, our beautiful Angel.

We had a babe, our second boy,
A bundle of smiles who brought such joy.
And as you grew, your wonder shone.
Each day you were, our amazing Tom.

The cruellest blow then did hit,
We drew our breath and tackled it.
In truth we should have known right there.
Too huge a task for you to bear.

Our baby suffering day by day.
Our attempts to hug your pain away.
The darkest times we were so low.
And yet your face. Your smile. Your glow.

You gave us strength, you were so brave.
And the purest love you always gave.
The tunnel, the light, sometimes so near.
Tests, results and then the fear.

Our baby boy, no words can say,
How much we love you every day.
Our fight we lost, but baby, you…
…Were black Power Ranger through and through.

We can’t reach out and hold you tight.
But in the dark of darkest nights,
We close our eyes and you are here.
Your soul, your spirit, so near, so clear.

We can’t in words explain our love.
No need, you took it up above.

Our Brightest Star In The Sky.
Always in our hearts.
Forever on our lips.

Mummy, Daddy, Joe, Grace, Sam. And all your family.
xxxxx