This young boy chose Ruairí’s Rocket to heaven as his bedtime story because he wanted to talk about his own big brother that has died. The message from his Mum filled my eyes with tears.
He’s a sweet little boy I know, Tig. His big brother is Mikaere, Kai to those who knew him. He died last summer aged just 7 years old leaving a huge gaping hole in his family.
Mikaere and my Ruairí went to physiotherapy classes together when they were little, they shared the same space mostly, but I like to think of them as friends. They’d often lay face to face like in the photo with bells between them, encouraging them to look, to reach. I’m not sure if they ever really did look or reach but I think it was fun for them, and I hope they found each other’s little faces. The last class they spent together was just five days before Ruairí died. Now, Mikaere has devastatingly died too, and again, I hope they have found each other. I hope they are having fun on the other side.
It breaks my heart that Mikaere’s little brother Tig misses him so much, that they won’t grow up with together, just like Ruairí and Charlie won’t. Ruairí’s Rocket to heaven was written for young children like Tig, so they can reach for a little book that helps them understand, that brings some comfort in the most confusing and sad times.
I am so touched that Tig is reaching for this little book, that it helps him.