Pippa Rea

Pippa’s short, beautiful life has ended.

She passed peacefully this morning surrounded, cuddled and held by those who loved her the most and whom she loved the most – James, Patrick and Mummy – whilst listening to her relaxing reiki music.

On Wednesday she had her teacher aide come for school at home and focussed on maths.  She then went to school and after that to the hydrotherapy swimming pool for an hour where she was determined to walk to the hydraulic chair and get out of the pool all by herself on her own – “you can take the stairs mummy,” she said.  She did.  She played puzzle games with a special friend who called in for a surprise visit before dinner.

On Thursday it was, cold, wet and windy.  Pippa, played games, did school at home for an hour again and then we spent the rest of the day watching movies and eating Easter Eggs.  Other than being tired with a bit of a sore throat and a runny nose she was very happy.  She ate, drank and communicated clearly.

Her rapid decline started at 7pm Thursday evening.  She has been cuddled, held, massaged and kissed like never before.  She has been cared for around the clock by her wonderful medical staff who have, at the same time, cared for James, Patrick and me.  She has listened to chapter after chapter of the Magical Far Away Tree.  Early in the day when she was able to, she watched episodes of Modern Family with James, Patrick and me lying together in bed with her laughing.  She has listened to music.  She has looked at photos of her kindred friend getting ready for her deb ball.  She has not been left alone for one minute.  Friday was also earring day – the first day she could change her earrings after getting her ears pierced on her birthday.  She wore her beautiful flower ear rings that look so pretty.  She has them in again today after making sure we put her real gold “sleepers” in for sleeping last night.

We have been able to say goodbye beautifully.

The last thing Pippa did on Friday evening was to open her eyes for the last family visits including a return visit late at night from Tony.  “My Tony” as she called him when she was little.  She also used her eyes and her right hand to communicate a few instructions to her doctors, nurses and me before going back to sleep.

Pippa is now climbing the Faraway Tree exploring magical lands.  She will be “Legs Eleven” forever.  She was beautiful in life and as she lies in her bed now surrounded by and holding her favourite teddies she is still absolutely beautiful.

That beauty and spirit of hers will live on forever.