Daniels Eulogy...
Decided since many of you (especially my friends in the US) couldnt make it to Daniels funeral thought it was a good idea to put his Eulogy here, it was written by his uncle - Chris and is the PERFECT tribute to him;
It is said that the light that burns twice as brightly burns half as long.
Daniel David Beamish burned so very brightly.
This is a day that no family should have to endure. The passing of a child is perhaps the most unfair, un-natural event in this world. It is impossible for any of us to imagine the sense loss Liz and Michael must be feeling.
Daniels passing has left avoid in all of our lives. It is a void that can never be filled nor should it be. With his passing Daniel has left for us cherished memories and the knowledge that the last elements of pain in his life are now over.
Our children are a reflection of ourselves. Our personalities, our beliefs and all that we hold dear. While for the majority this is true you only had to spend a few seconds in Daniels world to realise that he was truly unique. Daniels personality was cheeky and mischievous. Never one so shy away from the obviousness of a situation or poke humour into sometimes the most inappropriate of places.
His beliefs were simple,he loved his family unconditionally as a child should. He played, fought and laughed with his sister Olivia and brother Lewis. He brought light and laughterto his grandparents Lynn, Phil and Liz. He lived every moment with his Mum and Dad by his side.
Daniel was a beloved son,brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend.
There was no situationthat Daniel could not bring light and laughter to.
I would like to take this moment on behalf of the family to thank all of the amazing staff at Alder Hey Children's Hospital who worked tirelessly to help Daniel through 5 rounds of chemotherapy. At each stage of histreatment Daniel amazed doctors as he kept bouncing back, outwardly he always seemed to respond to the therapy.
Unfortunately as we know last month the decision was taken to stop all treatment. This is something noparent ever wants to face.
I have huge respect for how both Michael and Liz kept the fun in Daniels life during this dark and difficult period.
However, stopping thetreatment gave the family time to live life a little more and they did more with Daniel in the last 3 weeks than they had been able to in the past 7months.
They enjoyed the simple things, getting out more, going swimming, building Lego and of course videoingevery precious moment.
In Daniels last few weeksmyself and Lynne were lucky enough to spend time with him out of hospital at his home. I'll always remember he was in great spirits. We played outside, ate chocolate and cake and ice-cream. Daniel was a real shining light who never let his illness get him down.
Daniels bravery throughout his treatment should be an inspiration to us all.
Difficult though it may be,amongst the tears of mourning we need to remember we are here to celebrate Daniels life.
Daniel David Beamish was born on 28th august 2004, within 7 weeks he was diagnosed with "Biliary Atresia" by 2006 it was apparent that Daniels liver disease would see him needing a transplant in his teenage years.
Despite this Daniel sstrength and spirit saw him living and loving life as much as any little boy could.
Thanks to his family he was well travelled for a boy of his age. He visited France twice, holidayed in spain and experienced the joy of American hospitality in Florida. He went camping and felt the sun and sea in Devon. He visited Castles and Palaces in Scotland and even took to wearing a kilt in February.
He even had occasion to visit hospital in Dumfries almost as if he wanted to check out the facilities and ensure the staff were up to speed in all things liver related.
But all the time he knew he was living a slightly different life.
As we grow older life becomes more mundane and sometimes troublesome. I like to think that Daniels life, apart from the obligatory hospital visits was, filled with Bouncy castles and birthday cakes.
To his Dads delight Daniel loved Lego more than was healthy for any little boy.He loved to build and play with his Lego in his room taking great care to ensure that he had just theright pieces set up in just the right way. He was always quick to tell you if you weren't playing it right.
Hospitals were never far from Daniels life and because of this they we never frightening or intimidating to him.
This was so true in his last few months. We will never know how much of his pain he kept from us. At times it seemed like he would protect his mum and dad from knowing too much.
Daniel was wise beyond his years his eyes displayed an inner strength that we must now have.
Daniel boasted many things in his short life but most of all he lived for his, familys and friends.
He had the ability to touch, change and even shape lives not through grand gestures or heroic deeds but bysimply smiling through adversity.
He had the ability to show anyone the true meaning of what it is to be a child. He enjoyed the simple pleasures he appreciated everything.
Daniel would not want us to mourn his passing. His innocence and strength will live on within all of us.
Daniel left this world just as he had lived it, in the ever loving presence of his mum Liz and dad Michael.
In our hearts Daniel is immortal and there he will live forever as a child
Sleep tight our brave wee man
It is said that the light that burns twice as brightly burns half as long.
Daniel David Beamish burned so very brightly.
This is a day that no family should have to endure. The passing of a child is perhaps the most unfair, un-natural event in this world. It is impossible for any of us to imagine the sense loss Liz and Michael must be feeling.
Daniels passing has left avoid in all of our lives. It is a void that can never be filled nor should it be. With his passing Daniel has left for us cherished memories and the knowledge that the last elements of pain in his life are now over.
Our children are a reflection of ourselves. Our personalities, our beliefs and all that we hold dear. While for the majority this is true you only had to spend a few seconds in Daniels world to realise that he was truly unique. Daniels personality was cheeky and mischievous. Never one so shy away from the obviousness of a situation or poke humour into sometimes the most inappropriate of places.
His beliefs were simple,he loved his family unconditionally as a child should. He played, fought and laughed with his sister Olivia and brother Lewis. He brought light and laughterto his grandparents Lynn, Phil and Liz. He lived every moment with his Mum and Dad by his side.
Daniel was a beloved son,brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend.
There was no situationthat Daniel could not bring light and laughter to.
I would like to take this moment on behalf of the family to thank all of the amazing staff at Alder Hey Children's Hospital who worked tirelessly to help Daniel through 5 rounds of chemotherapy. At each stage of histreatment Daniel amazed doctors as he kept bouncing back, outwardly he always seemed to respond to the therapy.
Unfortunately as we know last month the decision was taken to stop all treatment. This is something noparent ever wants to face.
I have huge respect for how both Michael and Liz kept the fun in Daniels life during this dark and difficult period.
However, stopping thetreatment gave the family time to live life a little more and they did more with Daniel in the last 3 weeks than they had been able to in the past 7months.
They enjoyed the simple things, getting out more, going swimming, building Lego and of course videoingevery precious moment.
In Daniels last few weeksmyself and Lynne were lucky enough to spend time with him out of hospital at his home. I'll always remember he was in great spirits. We played outside, ate chocolate and cake and ice-cream. Daniel was a real shining light who never let his illness get him down.
Daniels bravery throughout his treatment should be an inspiration to us all.
Difficult though it may be,amongst the tears of mourning we need to remember we are here to celebrate Daniels life.
Daniel David Beamish was born on 28th august 2004, within 7 weeks he was diagnosed with "Biliary Atresia" by 2006 it was apparent that Daniels liver disease would see him needing a transplant in his teenage years.
Despite this Daniel sstrength and spirit saw him living and loving life as much as any little boy could.
Thanks to his family he was well travelled for a boy of his age. He visited France twice, holidayed in spain and experienced the joy of American hospitality in Florida. He went camping and felt the sun and sea in Devon. He visited Castles and Palaces in Scotland and even took to wearing a kilt in February.
He even had occasion to visit hospital in Dumfries almost as if he wanted to check out the facilities and ensure the staff were up to speed in all things liver related.
But all the time he knew he was living a slightly different life.
As we grow older life becomes more mundane and sometimes troublesome. I like to think that Daniels life, apart from the obligatory hospital visits was, filled with Bouncy castles and birthday cakes.
To his Dads delight Daniel loved Lego more than was healthy for any little boy.He loved to build and play with his Lego in his room taking great care to ensure that he had just theright pieces set up in just the right way. He was always quick to tell you if you weren't playing it right.
Hospitals were never far from Daniels life and because of this they we never frightening or intimidating to him.
This was so true in his last few months. We will never know how much of his pain he kept from us. At times it seemed like he would protect his mum and dad from knowing too much.
Daniel was wise beyond his years his eyes displayed an inner strength that we must now have.
Daniel boasted many things in his short life but most of all he lived for his, familys and friends.
He had the ability to touch, change and even shape lives not through grand gestures or heroic deeds but bysimply smiling through adversity.
He had the ability to show anyone the true meaning of what it is to be a child. He enjoyed the simple pleasures he appreciated everything.
Daniel would not want us to mourn his passing. His innocence and strength will live on within all of us.
Daniel left this world just as he had lived it, in the ever loving presence of his mum Liz and dad Michael.
In our hearts Daniel is immortal and there he will live forever as a child
Sleep tight our brave wee man
posted by Liz at 9:42 pm
2 Comments:
This is heart-wrenching beautiful. And from all I have learnt about Daniel, very true.
Thinking so often of you all, Liz and family, and of Daniel who captured my heart years ago by his mischievous smile and great attitude to life...
Warm regards,
Sven
Such a special eulogy for such a special child.
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