Abby's Story (Part II)

Here's what Nix said at the Service of Thanksgiving before introducing the second collection of photographs from Abigail's life and the You Say It Best video. It features the Ronan Keating song When You Say Nothing At All.

When Abigail was born three and a half years ago, our lives were turned upside down and indelibly marked forever. We had chosen the name Abigail because of its meaning, “Father’s delight”, but the first nine months were anything but delightful.

In those early months our one aim was to get Abby home – to live with her as part of our family and to make memories. And, as you’ve seen, we did that. Abigail became an integral part of our family. We learned to adapt to her needs and though her care was not always straightforward it was never a chore, because Abby made it easy.

Abby needed much, but demanded little. She had a presence that could not be ignored; she engaged people. Since her death many people have said how privileged they were to have met Abby, yet she could not see or talk or reach out and touch people, but she communicated in a way that is unexplainable.

It was our privilege to be given the task of parenting her. She has taught us so much. We know what it’s like to love utterly, without conditions, and we’ve experienced at first hand the good in people. We’ve come to know many people who selflessly spend their lives trying to make the world better for people who can’t do it for themselves. To have experienced that has been a life-enhancing journey.

Our lives will never be the same; the Abby-shaped hole in our hearts will always remain, but we’re grateful that we shared three and a half years with our very special daughter: Abigail Erin – the “Father’s Delight” who communicated so much without saying a single word.