Bravery

Almost everybody we meet comments on Lewis' gorgeous gorgeous long eyelashes! They say 'ooh we would pay good money for eyelashes like that!' ... If Lew had £1 for every person who has said that to him, he'd be quite rich by now!

So next week we are heading to London for Lewis' Bravery Award presentation. We are so proud of Lew, he has a smile even when things are really rough, and he has had more than his fair share of rough times, and still he manages to smile and sometimes (like today) present us with the cherished gift of a laugh!

If you havent already visited, and even if you have, please please take another look at http://www.postpals.co.uk/. At this time of year alot of the children will be particularly poorly (like Lew is starting to be now) with the change in the weather and the cold/flu season beginning. One particular little boy on Postpals who really really needs as much love and affection as you can provide is Jack B. Jack's parents raised funds to take him to America for some ground-breaking treatment, unfortunately it has not worked out and Jack is now back at home. Please please visit his webpage on Postpals http://www.postpals.co.uk/pals/Jack+B. I can guarantee you will be touched by him and his story, and hopefully you will find some time to send him a card, a letter or a gift, at this time when he and his family need smiles the most. Here is a photograph of Jack.

Jack has Neuroblastoma. Please do visit his page and try and send him a card or a letter to brighten his room and help him to smile.

Please follow this link to Postpals for the latest news, as well as a photo of Lewis - http://www.postpals.co.uk/news.php.

Today Lewis received post from two Postpal posties - June Junko from IL (Illinois?) and from Julie Barrett here in the UK, Devon. Thank you so much June and Julie for your lovely cards and the Barney DVD from Julie. They will go on Lewis' postpal wall which he loves to look at often as its also his playroom, but we always have to pause for a minute or two so that he can gaze at his bright and colourful cards, letters and pictures from Postpal posties.

Before I forget, the fashion show is going to be HUGE, our local ITV news programme (Calendar News) are going to be filming on the night, and the local newspaper (Freepress) will probably have photographers there as well! And if you are after a last minute ticket, I dont have any left but Alison may have 10-15 so please do give her a call (07840273597).

Here is a photo of our brave little boy, sneaking into mummy's bed as he's not been well the past few days.

We've had a busy weekend here in Doncaster and Lew has spent some time with his friends. We walked to Lakeside Village with Livia and Mun (in the rain!). Livia gave Lewis a very cute green soft rattle thing which Lew enjoyed hearing rattle as we bumped along! And later we went to Normanby Country Park in Scunthorpe with Jay and Luke! Lewis will be presented with his Bravery Award on Monday 22nd October at the Best Wellchild Childrens Health Awards 2007 at The Oval in London. On Tuesday 23rd October, BEST magazine will feature an article about all the winners from the Awards so please do go out and buy a copy!

The Awards will be televised on The Community Channel (Sky channel 539) in early December. I will let you all know nearer the time what the exact air date/time will be. http://www.communitychannel.org.uk/ and http://www.wellchild.org.uk/

Thank you very much to Helen Brierley for the AMAZING blue card for Lewis' new blue room. We are going to frame it and put it on Lew's new bedroom wall!

Also thank you very much to Chris, Sue and Alice for the lovely card - this has gone up on Lewis' post wall and this will also be featured in the next update.

And to finish, a poem for all the very special little boys we know and love and could never imagine living without.

As I Watch You Sleeping As I watch you sleeping, my problems seem so small. The rewards you have to offer me, are so big and so tall.

As I watch you sleeping, I realize just how great your accomplishments are. I know how much you struggle to have made it this far.

As I watch you sleeping, I can't imagine how my life would be without you. Even through the hard times I'd be lost without you.

As I watch you sleeping, I see just how much you have brought into my life. All the joys and happiness, all the wonder and excitement.

As I watch you sleeping, I am overcome with such love. Your sweetness and happiness, are something I can't get enough of.

As I watch you sleeping, I think just how lucky I am. To be the mother of such a beautiful little boy.

As I watch you sleeping, all of my worries seem to melt away. I know that no matter what happens, together we can make it through another day. (Thanks to Anna Bovell for that poem - www.caringbridge.org/visit/nathanbovell). Here are a couple of photos of Nathan.

We are very excited as we will be meeting Nathan and his mum and dad (Anna and Andy) on Tuesday at London Zoo! It will be great to finally meet up with Nathan and Anna as we have been online friends for several months now and with Lewis and Nathan being so very similar in condition, it will be an experience for both sets of parents to meet another child like ours/theirs!

And here is another photo of Lewis' friend Declan (http://www.declan-kelly.com/). We are hoping to be able to visit Caroline and Nathan in December.

And finally finally (again!) is a photo of my gorgeous brother Jason taking part in a cycling marathon in August. My brother Jason, like my son Samuel, has severe haemophilia A. He has a fantastic website at http://jasonpaultolmie.blogspot.com/. Please do check it out.