I wrote this poem for Ann the day before Jane entered hospital for the very last time. Ann is happy for me to share these lines with you. The poem is entitled: 'We sat & Watched'.




"We sat & watched our Daughter sleeping, unofficial vigil keeping.

Saw the covers rise & fall, movement slight, scarce seen at all.

All the time the question: Why? Unanswered still, e'en though we cry,

Why Her? Why Us? Our Family? Is this our fate, our destiny?

Life's living rules have all been changed, the order has been rearranged.

The Child dies first? That's not the way & we're unable to delay

Nature at Her very worst, our Darling Girl left so close nursed.

And when the end comes, as it will, still half a life left to fulfil.

A coterie of things not done, no sharing in the joy & fun

Of living out a normal life as Mother, Sister, Child & Wife.

Insidious, remaining hidden, entering her life unbidden,

No cure, no cure the doctors say, they cannot make it go away.

And if we could, we'd take her pain & if we could, begin again.

By re-creating life anew, a miracle not ours to do".

                   With Love & eternal Gratitude to All of You, our Dearest Friends,
                                                 Nigel & Ann.
                                                 xxxxxxxxxx