I begin this post with a huge lump in my throat (a little more than 36 hours after I got some distressing news my mind has finally began to process it) and although I post this on the 1st of April, let me make one thing clear from the get go – this is in no way an April Fool’s joke.

It seems like just the other day, but 6 months ago my family and I lost my aunt. Just over a week earlier my cousin’s twins were born. I guess the universe has a strange way of keeping the balance. To make space for new arrivals, others must leave this world.

To some, six months might feel like an eternity – to others, it’s barely a drop in the ocean. When my aunt passed away I mentioned how difficult and unfair it must be as a parent, to out-live your children – but when we’ve lived a full life, it seems slightly less unfair. You had a good life, you saw your own children and grand-children grow up, your time came and those that are left behind have to deal with the loss.

But, how do you deal with this as a parent losing a child, of just over six months?

One of my cousin’s twin sons passed away suddenly in his sleep yesterday morning. As a parent (and even before becoming a parent) I’ve known known about SIDS and how today it remains unexplained. But you never, in your wildest dreams, think it could happen to someone you know, let alone yourself.

I cannot begin to imagine what my cousin, her husband and children must be going through right now. How does one process what has happened? How do you explain it? Whom do you blame? Something inexplicably wrong has happened, someone or something is to blame? You want answers, I know for sure I’d be questioning everything and everyone if, God-forbid, something like this had to happen to me. All I know for sure, is that it’s not fair – life just isn’t fair.

Since my cousin and her children live in New Zealand I’ve never seen their children in person, other than photos on Facebook and keeping in touch electronically. Regrettably, I never got to know my little namesake, but we shared an invisible bond of a family name and a blood-line. I know he will be missed by many, but especially so by his parents and siblings.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you dear cousin. May you all somehow find the strength to get through this. I’m not sure I could, you’re all much stronger than I am.

Earlier this year Google invited kids from around the United States to submit their doodles using the Google logo with the following theme in mind “What I Wish For The World”. They received over 28,000 doodles from all 50 states. 

There are 40 regional winners (in their various age-group categories) which you can review and vote for online. Entries close at midnight on May 18th, 2009. The winner will be announced on May 20th with the winner’s doodle appearing on the Google home page.

Below are a few samples from the various age groups – but go on and take a look for yourself, and vote.  [via Google Blog]

My wish for the world is that everyone would get along and treat one another in a nice and loving way. We could all be friends! - Miriam Elizabeth Lowery (5)

What I wish for the world is that every child and every adult have a chance to go to school and learn. If every person in the world could have the opportunity to go to school, it would make the world a better place, not only for the world, but for the people in it. - Lauren Sarantopolos (12)

What I wish for the world is unity. The theme is represented by connected paper clips in my doodle because they represent unity. Each clip is interconnected much of the way people are. - Abigail Kois (12)

Flowers bring color and fragrance into our lives. Their beauty and diversity reflects that of people. They can be playful or serious and even remind us of the cycle of life and death. - Emily Dorsey (16)

I was completely shocked when I just read this report in the local paper while having my lunch today:

Lachlan suddenly started coming out in bruises all over his body. 

Blood tests revealed that all his blood counts were low – platelets, haemoglobin and white cells – Lachlan’s bone marrow was in the process of shutting down, and a transplant was his only hope. 

“The products in South Africa contain no warnings on the packaging, and in fact recommend repeated treatment if the head lice are not completely cleared.

“Most parents are not aware that Gambex is actually a pesticide.”

Lice shampoos containing the chemical gamma benzene hexachloride on sale in South Africa are Gambex® and Quellada®; in most other countries it goes by the brand Lindane® or Kwell®.
- source IOL

A serious warning to anyone with children who are prone to contracting or may be in contact with other children at creche/school that may be infected with lice. We’ve used these products in the past and will definitely NOT be using them (or any other lice-shampoo product) in future. Washing the kids hair with vinegar and then combing out the lice and eggs with a fine-tooth comb will work just as effectively and will be completely harmless to the children.