This is a day late but it was Alexander's 6th birthday yesterday. This year, I made his felt elephants on time, along with his cake and flowers. I also got him some additional "toys" for his grave. I don't know how to be a mother to a child who is physically not in our world, so doing these things for his birthday means a lot to me.
I took his brother, Jamie, to the grave in the morning and explained to him what we were doing and the names on the headstone . When we left, Jamie shouted, "Happy birthday Alexander!". We spent the afternoon looking at and riding on steam trains - I felt that Alexander would have chosen this for his birthday.
Jamie is three and he was very excited in the couple of days leading up to his big brother Alexander's birthday. It was very sweet and sad at the same time when he asked if we would be going to Alexander's birthday party. It was also difficult explaining to him where Alexander was. He asked me this a few times yesterday. The truth is, I don't know. I told him that his brother was buried in the ground where the grave was. I don't think Jamie understood.
I may have mentioned this already but I associate Alexander with elephants. I will write about this in another post. Every year for his birthday, I adopt an elephant or donate money to an elephant charity. This year, I've donated to the International Elephant Foundation (IEF). The IEF actively supports conservation, awareness and scientific programs that enhance the survival of elephants and protects their habitat worldwide. The organisation also support research into Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV), which affects young elephant calves around the world, with an 85% mortality rate and no cure. For more information on their work:
Alexander, wherever you are, I hope you had a fabulous birthday yesterday!
Lots of love forever,
Mummy xx
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