'My heart is heavy. My chest is tight.'
Just three weeks ago, the mum of these two little boys wrote a post on her blog saying how she felt that the end was near for her little brave man.
Little Thomas, known as 'little warrior' to his parents, passed away this week when his life was cut short by his cancer diagnosis.
This picture of him lying on the couch with his devoted big brother William went viral after mum, Sheryl, posted the picture to her Instagram saying his big brother was whispering to him 'don't worry, it's ok.'
Our collective hearts broke when we learnt that the Australian family held an early first birthday party for the four-month-old.
Thomas died on Monday. His heartbroken mum posted the following message to social media:
"He was surrounded by family and right next to his mummy and daddy when he passed away. He fought the good fight especially when he was only expected to live for only a short amount of weeks after his diagnosis."
Sheryl and partner, Jon, were determined to make life as memorable as possible for Thomas and three-year-old William.
They knew they didn't have much time with their son after his cancer diagnosis at birth. Just a few weeks ago Sheryl posted the following to her blog:
“I am starting to feel like I am racing against time. My brain is thinking a million things at once. I look at my Thomas and my thoughts are of panic! That cute face, that beautiful chin, that big brown eyes, that beautiful voice, that baby smell. I need more time!
“There’s a shift in my Thomas. Something different, sullen, sad. I could be over thinking / analysing and overly exhausted.
Hospital visits are now more serious. Those type of discussions I tried to avoid and not think about are now on the table.
Time of emergency. Last breath. Final Day. Funeral.
My heart is heavy. My chest is tight. My tears abound.
He deserves everything beautiful in life. Are we giving it? Is it enough?
I am hopeful but I also see the painful truth. What do they say about mother’s instinct?
Reminder to self: One day at a time.”
One of the most heartbreaking parts of this was the bond the two brothers shared. Big brother William refused to go to sleep the night his brother died. The image of him clutching his baby brother's hand is just gut-wrenching.
We are keeping the family in our thoughts.
