Our precious daughter Ellena Mae, known to most people as Elley. Tragically died on the 8th April 1999 after contracting meningitis, she fought for her life, putting up a damn good fight being the determined little madam she always was, but at only 23 months she just wasn’t strong enough. Elley touched so many hearts in her short life; she had an amazing ability to make you smile on those bad days, as if she knew and she always had everyone’s attention when in a crowded room, she made sure of that! Elley had an amazing connection with animals and wildlife, inseparable from our dog Murphy; she was most definitely a gift, the best gift I could ever have hoped for. Elley remains a huge part of our family, never to be left out; it makes me happy and so proud when her cousins talk about her, keeping her memory alive. For those who weren’t lucky enough to have met her, this is a poem my mum wrote; Our mischievous little angel Sent from heaven above Her eyes as bright as sapphires Her heart so full of love Golden curls that frame her face Her beaming smile can’t be replaced A frown when told what not to do Showed she was just as cross with you The laughter in her stubborn way’s Brought happiness to all our day’s Her ‘’Upsa-Daisy’’ when she fell She didn’t scream, shout or yell A kiss and a cuddle is all she asked for Then off she’d go to play once more Little arms around my neck One eye open just to check If you’re asleep I’ll suck my thumb When we wake up we’ll have some fun Feed the birds, ‘’where are you? here tiz’’ ‘’Bye- bye’’ to pansies, blow a kiss Boots on ready for a walk Getting impatient whilst we talk Running with Murphy down the lane Through the woods then home again These are memories that will remain Until the day we meet again Loving you is easy, we do it every day Missing you is a heart ache That will never go away Over the years I can only say times have been hard and sometimes felt impossible, but somehow life finds a way through the tough times and the love Elley gave us all gives us strength. Coping wouldn’t be possible without my amazing family and friends, but also the Meningitis Trust all of whom I am so grateful for; this charity is so important for all who have been affected in any way through meningitis. Memories; a poem by one of her many cousins shortly after Elley died: Out with her Mum on a warm sunny day Down by the river sat Ellena Mae She wore little red boots a purple velvet dress And her fine golden curls shone above the rest Walking in stow woods with her Dad Playing a favourite game Stamping in puddles left by the rain When times were bad nothing going the right way Her bright little smiles shone up the day One day she fell ill aged nearly two years But hope rose above the pain and the tears All hope was lost No justice was sent Though fighting she died and to the heavens she went Deeply affected were her family and friends Sorrow and grief wouldn’t come to an end How could this be true? At such a young age Her mum would read stories down by her grave The longing for Elley grew more every day Down by her headstone flowers were laid Elley’s Labrador, Murphy was her best friend With laughter and giggles they played right to the end Waiting by the door with a heart that burns Not understanding why she doesn’t return Her place is a star in the moonlit sky Twinkling and glistening like the pearls in her eyes Loved by many even though she’s gone Smiles and memories will always live on We can’t change what’s happened, but I know that Elley, in her helpful yet clumsy and rather mischievous manor would want her memory to be of use to many and continue to be a gift.