Sarah A Burst of Sunshine

Sarah, a beautiful child born physically perfect, but severely intellectually disabled has been blessed with a spiritual gift. Her father Doug maintains that Sarah’s gifted cloak of influence extends far beyond her physical presence, she has touched so many lives. Sarah has taught Doug to look through the eyes of a child. Doug related one event where he and Sarah were at a local shop. For some reason Sarah would regularly say, “ Grandma Margo died, poorly back.” Doug would reply. “Yes Sarah, Grandma Margo died, but she is happy, she is in heaven.” Margo, Doug’s Irish mother-in-law had died of bowel cancer a few years earlier on 2nd January. Thankfully Margo and Joyce (Doug’s mother) made their peace with each other on the previous Christmas day. A number of years later Joyce was taken to Hospital on Friday 31st December. The doctors told the family not to worry and that within 24 hours Joyce should improve. Doug and Sarah were at the local shop the next day, when Sarah turned to Doug and said, “Grandma Joyce died.” They returned home, Doug received a phone call from the hospital requesting that Doug, his brothers and sister return for a meeting. The doctor informed the family that the stroke had hit the brain stem and that their mother was paralysed. The decision was made to turn off the respirator. Joyce passed away the following day 2nd January. The same date as Margo.