He knew he was loved...

It was the tiniest white coffin - lovingly carried by sister Margaret as we all left the Church.

On top lay a single lily and one carnation. Inside lay three week old Damien.

He’d been born in a local hospital – a baby without a brain and abandoned there by his mother. It’s not for us to judge why but perhaps she simply didn’t have the resources to cope with a child who had no future.

Nameless he was referred to Nazareth House  ... where the Sisters welcomed him and called him Damien. And he did have a brain stem which was to keep him alive for three weeks.

During his funeral service Father Hugh O’Connor spoke of how people can pass in and out of the world without ever knowing love. But as one of God’s children at Nazareth House Damien was valued. And in his short life he was fed kept warm and frequently cuddled as every precious baby should be.

His ashes will return to rest in our garden of remembrance.

Damien’s life was short – but he knew he was loved ... by us. And by you.