| Location | Lytham St Annes |
| Age | 8 years |
| Cause of Death | Suicide |
| Date of Death | 11/2008 |
| Visitors | 4,600 since 03/12/2008 |
| Creator |
Joshua Aldred, of Lytham St Annes, near Blackpool, in Lancashire, was found dead in his bedroom
within minutes of "having a strop" about doing his homework.
His death came 11 weeks after his mother, Sarah, 42, died from breast cancer and three months before
the first anniversary of his grandfather dying in a hospice.
The coroner for Blackpool, Anne Hind, said: "In nearly 20 years I think it is the saddest story I
have ever heard".
She told the child's remaining family: "We know Joshua missed his mummy very much, but he was coping
very well. He was going on with his life and his school marks had not deteriorated.
"I have heard the tragedies that have beset this family. Within a year Jason Aldred has lost his
father, his beloved wife and his only child. Mrs Aldred has lost her husband and grandson. This is a
terrible, terrible tragedy. I cannot tell you how my heart has gone out to you and how I have prayed
for you."
Mrs Hind acknowledged that Joshua had intended to hang himself, but recorded a verdict of death by
misadventure on the grounds that he had not understood the consequences of his actions."
The child's father, Jason, 41, said he thought his only child had slipped a tie over his bed rail
"because he missed his mother's hugs".
He was too upset to give evidence in person. Instead, he sat crying in the courtroom has his
statement was read out.
Mr Aldred, an IT architect, recalled how the family decided against hiding news of his wife's
illness from their son.
Four years ago she learned that as well as breast cancer she had developed cancer of the skin. Her
condition meant that doctors had to remove her ovaries.
"This was when Josh asked Sarah and myself if he could have a brother or a sister. We told him why
he couldn't."
In the summer of 2006 Mr Aldred's father, John, was admitted to a hospice. Joshua visited him there
but seemed to cope with the situation. He attended his funeral when he died the following
September.
Six months later, on March 17, Joshua lost his mother when she developed first cellulitis and later
septicaemia.
"I decided to let him finish his school day as normal," said his father. "At 4.30pm I picked him up
and we took him to Fairhaven Lake. I told him that his mum had died that day. He sat on my knee and
we both cried."
That evening the little boy attended football training as normal. "It may have been then that he
said he missed his mother's hugs," said his father.
Over the next few weeks Joshua occasionally awoke during the night, and on two occasions slept in
his father's bed. At his mother's funeral he appeared no more upset than the rest of the family.
He seemed to carry on as "a normal, happy, well-adjusted little boy", and became excited at the
prospect of he and his father going sailing around the Mediterranean for two years.
But on June 5 he had a "strop" with his grandmother when she insisted he did his homework rather
than watch television.
He eventually stormed off to his bedroom. Mrs Aldred let him go, intending to let him cool off
before sitting down with him so they could talk about it.
About five minutes later she went upstairs and found him lying dead beside his bed.
IN THE ARMS OF THE ANGELS XX
Most people walk in and out of your life.
......oooO.......... ....
.....(....).....Oooo ...
......)../.....(.... )....
.....(_/.......)../. ....
...............(_/.. .....
But only Loved ones leave footprints
in your heart.
Sent with love ♥
When were on our own
And the tears start to flow.
We think of how unfair it is
That you had to go.
♥
Your in our thoughts all day
And in our dreams too,
Trying to turn the clock back
To the day that we had you.
♥
If we could have a miracle
And go back to that day.
We would hold onto you tightly
And never let you go away.
♥
Thinking of you and your family
Love from the wallers xxxxxx.
Written by Jan Morris Waller..xxxx
As i wandered lonley as a cloud
On a bright summers day
A rainbow formed before me
As i strolled gently on my way
The steps had many colours
The stairway was made for me
As i walked to pastures new
I knew that my family could see
They watched me walk to heaven
And they waved me as i walked
They smiled, for this was my garden
And somewhere we could sit and talk
They have comfort knowing im here
And that i am resting in this place
I love them, they love me
And i can see it in their face.
This Tribute Is For This Weekend
Candles Will Be Lit Again As Usual On Sunday For Monday
Message from Heaven
I still hear the songs
I still see the lights
I still feel your love
I still share your hopes
And all of your cares
I'll even remind you
To please say your prayers
I just want to tell you
You still make me proud
You stand head and shoulders
Above the crowd
Keep trying each moment
To stay in his grace
I came here before you
To help set your place
You don't have to be
Perfect all of the time
He forgives you the slip
If you continue to climb
To my family and friends
Please be thankful today
I'm still close beside you
In a new special way
As I am now beside Jesus
In the heaven’s above
Please take care of each other
I send you my love
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
"Angel"
Tear drops, slow and steady,
The pain so real and true,
God took another angel,
And that angel, dear, was you.
Memories and little prayers,
We all are mourning you,
But we’ll celebrate the short life you led;
We will never forget you.
I know God will look after you,
Now you are truly alive,
Your spirit soars beyond the moon,
Your legacy will survive.
You’re beautiful, you’re endless,
Now stretch your wings and fly,
We love you so, I love you so,
But now we say goodbye.
Close your pretty eyes,
No more tears, just go and rest,
Let your soul lie peacefully,
We know you did your best.
It was your time, so as we cry,
Go forward that extra mile,
You did what you were sent to do,
You made everybody smile.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
“The Best”
God saw you getting tired
And a cure was not to be.
So He put His arms around you
And He whispered “Come to Me”
With tearful eyes we watched you.
We watched you fade away.
Although we loved you dearly,
We could not make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating,
Hard-working hands at rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us,
He chose to take the best.
It’s lonesome here without you
We miss you more each day.
Life doesn’t seem the same
Since you have gone away.
When days are sad and lonely
And everything goes wrong,
We seem to hear you whisper
“Cheer Up and Carry On”
Each time we see your picture
You seem to smile and say,
“Don’t cry, I’m in God’s hands,
We’ll meet again someday!”
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
The moment that you died
Our hearts were torn in two,
One side filled with memories,
The other died with you.
We often lie awake at night,
When the world is fast asleep,
And take a walk down memory lane,
With tears upon our cheeks.
Remembering you is easy,
We do it everyday,
But missing you is heartache
That never goes away.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
But you did not go alone.
For part of us went with you,
The day God called you home.
We miss you in so many ways,
We miss the things you used to say,
And when old times we do recall,
It’s then we miss you most of all.
We miss you now, our hearts are sore,
As time goes by we miss you more,
Your loving smile, your gentle face,
No one can fill your vacant place.
Thoughts Today Memories Forever
Angela(Christopher-John Rowe)Mum
For Friday
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
"Not Forgotten"
People think we have forgotten
When at times they see us smile
Little do they know the heartache
That our smiles hide all the while
To some you may be forgotten
To others a part of the past
But to those who loved and lost you
Your memory will last and last
♥ღ♥
I'm writing this from heaven, where I dwell with God above.
Where there's no more tears or sadness, there's just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy because I am out of sight
Remember that I am with you every morning, noon and night.
And I will stay beside you, every day, week and year
And when you're sad I'll still be there to wipe away your tears.
When you think of my life on earth and all those living years
Because your only human their bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry it does relieve the pain
Remember there wouldn't be flowers unless we first had rain.
I wish I could tell you of all that God has planned
But even if I were able to, you wouldn't understand.
When your going down the street and you've got me on your mind
I'm walking in your footsteps and only half a step behind.
And if you feel a gentle breeze or wind upon your face
Remember it's only me with a loving and soft embrace.
P.S. God sends His Love
♥ღ♥
Little Man
Such a terrible tragedy .. This poor little lad had lost his Mum & Grandad within a few months and obviously just missed them both so much.. Sleep well with your loved ones little guy ..but watch over Daddy too he misses you so much ... gone but not forgotten ....sleep in peace now ..and play with the other angels
This Tribute Is For This Weekend
Candles Will Be Lit Again As Usual For Monday
LITTLE ANGELS
When God calls little children
To dwell with Him above,
We mortals sometimes question
The wisdom of His love.
For no heartache compares
With the death of one small child
Who does so much to make our world
Seem wonderful and mild.
Perhaps God tires of calling
The aged to His fold.
So He picks a rosebud
Before it can grow old.
God knows how much we need them
And so He takes but few
To make the land of heaven
More beautiful to view.
Believing this is difficult,
Still somehow we must try.
The saddest word that mankind knows
Will always be 'goodbye'.
So when a little child departs,
We who are left behind
Must realise God loves children
Angels are hard to find.
If roses grow in heaven,
Lord Please pick one for me.
Place it in my Loved ones hand
And tell them it's from me.
Tell them that I love them
And when they turn to smile,
Place a kiss upon their cheek
And hold them for a while.
Remembering them is easy,
I do it every day.
But there's an ache within my heart
That will never go away.
I looked towards the clouds today
And for a moment saw your face.
I wondered just where you have gone
With hope it's a better place.
Did you show yourself to me today,
To tell me you're all right?
Or was it just a daydream
Playing tricks upon my sight?
We will always feel the void inside
Because you are not here.
But each new thought you send our way
Lets us know you're near.
So until our journey nears its end
And we hear the angels sing,
We'll face each new day as it comes
And live off the love you bring.
If tears could build a stairway,
And memories were a lane,
We would walk right up to heaven
And bring you back again.
Our hearts still ache in sadness
And secret tears still flow.
What it meant to lose you
No one can ever know.
But now we know you want us
To mourn for you no more.
To remember all the happy times,
Life still has much in store.
Since you'll never be forgotten,
We pledge to you today:
A hallowed place within our hearts
Is where you'll always stay.
Thoughts Today Memories Forever
Angela(Christopher-John Rowe)Mum
This Tribute Is For This Weekend
Candles Will Be Lit On Sunday Night As Usual
Everyone Have A Good Weekend
To My Dearest Family, Some Things I'd Like To Say.
But first of all, to let you know,
That I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven.
Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness;
Here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy
Just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I am with you every
Morning, Noon and Night.
That day I had to leave you
When my life on earth was through.
God picked me up and hugged me
And He said, "I welcome you.
It's good to have you back again,
You were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family,
They'll be here later on.
There's so much that we have to do,
To help our mortal man."
God gave me a list of things,
That he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list,
Was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night
The day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....
In the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth,
And all those loving years.
Because you are only human,
They are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry:
It does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers,
Unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you
All that God has planned.
If I were to tell you,
You wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain,
Though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now,
Than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you
And many hills to climb;
But together we can do it
By taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy
And I'd like it for you too;
That as you give unto the world,
The world will give to you.
If you can help somebody
Who's in sorrow and pain;
Then you can say to God at night......
"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....
My life was worthwhile.
Knowing as I passed along the way
I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody
Who is sad and feeling low;
Just lend a hand to pick him up,
As on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street
And you've got Me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps
Only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go....
From that body to be free.
Remember you're not going.....
You're coming here to Me.
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
The moment that you died,
My heart split in two,
The one side filled with memories,
The other died with you.
I often lay awake at night,
When the world is fast asleep,
And take a walk down memory lane,
With tears upon my cheeks.
Remembering you is easy,
I do it every day,
But missing you is a heartache,
That never goes away.
I hold you tightly within my heart,
And there you will remain,
Life has gone on without you,
But it never will be the same.
For those who still have their LOVED ONES,
Treat them with tender care,
You will never know the emptiness,
As when you turn and they’re not there.
Thoughts Today Memories Forever
Angela(Christopher-John Rowe)Mum
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