It only feels like yesterday that i received a missed video call on my phone and a message from nath stating, are you free to talk? feeling puzzled and slightly alarmed i hit the call back button immediately. There on the screen i was met with the image of nathalie sitting in what i can only describe as a field with a mischievous grin on her face. I knew immediately what i would hear next, the words 'guess what? I'm pregnant' but i certainty didn't expect the following three words 'and its twins'. Straight away i thought holy cow twins, thats a handful but that was instantly dismissed with the thought of ah sure its nath and ant they'll be grand. It couldn't happen to nicer people. We were all buzzing with excitement waiting for delivery day to arrive. I don't think naths ankles and back were that excited in the last couple of weeks but nath being nath was a real trooper.
Then came the wonderful day, the 4th of november 2023. Not one but two beautiful little girls entered this world to the two most amazing people i know. Better still these two beautiful newborns were made by these two amazing people. As time carried on, days became weeks and weeks became months. The twins Síofra and Annie continued to blossom and bloom. Many a picture exchanged between myself and nath of our beautiful children. We had some video calls where our children met their cousins virtually. So even though we didn't get a chance to meet in person i was kept well up to date on all the happenings in their little world. Nath and Ant being complete naturals at this whole parenting thing. The love and joy they brought to the twins' lives was reciprocated by the beauty and innocence of both Síofra and Annie. The girls were their world as they were the girls world.
Everything was so right, so perfect, so you can imagine just how unbelievably devastating it was to hear that the beauty that is Síofra became extremely ill in the blink of an eye. Its fair to say that no one expected what happened to actually happen. The only thing that would make any sense is that god wanted his little blue eyed angel back by his side once again. Síofra your time on earth was brief but you made a big impact on a lot of lives. If we could we would have held onto you forever but for whatever reason of which we will never know, you had to leave this world. It was too soon in every sense but I know your amazing mammy and daddy will keep your beautiful spirit alive.
Every time i see blue bells in full bloom i shall think of you. As the wind envelopes each floral bell they shall ring to the sound of your beautiful and very fitting name, Síofra.
Forever loved, forever missed.
Avril Mc Donnell
18th May 2024