Cake and candles

Tue 22nd May 2007 by Ben Palmer.

Mummy’s BalloonIt's Jessica's birthday today. She should be 37, but she will always be 34 in our hearts and in our memories.

I've bought a helium balloon, and at the children's request, a birthday cake as well. We'll have our little tea party and then, like we always have, we'll write our messages of love on the balloon and let it go from our garden and watch it rise magnificently.

Usually there's a wind that blows it over the roof of the house and out of sight, to go wherever it will, but today is calmer than in previous years and so with luck we'll see it keep rising, until it's a speck, up to Mummy in Heaven.

It's hard to believe it's nearly three years since we saw her; at times it seems like just yesterday, the memories are so strong. At other times it seems like a lifetime ago.

It is, for Emily.

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2 Responses

  1. Teresa Rotherham

    I came across your site via "gone too soon". Deepest sympathies on the loss of your wife and mother of your children, a needless death.
    I have posted details of your site on my blog.

  2. Ben Palmer

    Thank you, Teresa, for your sympathies, signature and support for the campaign.
    Best wishes

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What is childbed fever?

Childbed fever is an infection of the womb in new mothers which can lead to septicaemia. If left untreated infection will cause organ failure and death - even in young, fit mothers.

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We would like every parent and every midwife and doctor to know that childbed fever is still a very real threat to a mother's life.

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Who is Jessica?

Jessica Palmer was a Mum. She died in June 2004, at 34 years old, of childbed fever caused by Group A streptococcus.

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