Imogen Grace Angel Charles

****I'm sorry for my lack of candles. I am finding things very difficult at the moment xxxx****

Imogen Grace Angel got her angel wings 20 April 2006, at 23 months old. She was a very much wanted
and loved daughter, who has now gone to heaven to be with her brothers and sisters. And knowing her
wonderfully strong and determined personality, will no doubt be bossing them all around. Imogen was
a very special little girl, born with a rare syndrome called Cornelia De Lange Syndrome (CDLS). She
battled for life throughout my pregnancy and birth, but the fighter she was, she proved all the
specialists wrong, thank god. CDLS isnt a life threatening syndrome, but children usually have
mental and learning difficulties, bad behaviour and can sometimes self harm. Imogen didnt show any
of these but thats probably because she was taken from me too early.
She did possess a very strong personality, the ability to touch and melt everyones hearts that she
met, and the most wonderful smile and giggle you could ever wish to hear. I was told at her
diagnosis that Imogen probably wouldnt be able to smile, laugh, show affection or any emotion, and
lots of other negative things. The truth and reality is Imogen was the most happy, contented, smiley
and loveable little girl you could ever imagine. It was a lot of hard work looking after her
sometimes as she suffered from severe gastro-reflux, and was tube fed nasaly as she couldnt feed and
had a cleft palate, but she never complained, and the rewards outweighed any diffuculties that you
may have come across.
Generally Imogen was quite healthy (apart from the vomiting with every feed bless her) but when she
was ill, its was usually serious and ended up with her being hospitalised.
I found Imogen unconcious in her cot at 6.45am on Thursday 20th April 2006. She had contracted
meningicoccal septicemia, probably from a virus that I had had a few days earlier. She was rushed to
hospital, but was brain dead when we got there and never regained conciousness again or breathed on
her own again. The specialist team tried 8 hours to save my little girl, but sadly she was too far
gone and passed away in my arms at 2.30pm.
I know I am lucky to have had such a beautiful and special little girl with me for 23 months and I
do feel blessed to have had her, even if it wasnt long enough, is it ever?
I have such beautiful memories, paintings we did together, play doh we made together, and 100s of
photos and video clips, she was quite a show off in front of the camera.
Imogen was my whole world. My little miracle I thought I would never have, having lost my first 4
babies, but she was a fighter from the start bless her.
I will never forget how proud I was the first time she banged a drum, the first time she gave a huge
belly laugh, and the first time she turned to me and said mama. This was a huge step as most
children with CDLS dont speak. Even the genetisist who diagnosed Imogen was impressed with her and
how she was developing. She really was a little star.
We we fortunate to meet a lot of wonderful people, and Imogen appeared in publications and training
videos, things I will always cherish. I was, and always will be so very proud of my little girl. I
do believe she was sent to earth for a reason. The following was read by a friends little girl at
Imogens celebration of life ceremony, and I think it sums her up pretty well:-
God sent an angel to the earth, the sweetest angel too
and for such a tiny little thing, she had so much to do.
She knew she did not have much time, upon this earth to stay
so she did not waste a second, she got started straight away.
Her eyes were bright and sparkly, she took in every turn
She did not miss a single thing, because Angel came to learn.
God sent her here to touch the hearts of those he could not reach
She taught them courage, strength and faith, because Angel came to teach.
Her tiny body was so full of God above
you felt it when you held her, because Imogen came to love.
In two short years she managed, what many never will
when she went home to Jesus, her purpose was fulfilled.
She learned and taught, loved and played
she learned her lessons well.
I know he was so proud of her
when she went home to dwell.
But when I miss her OH-SO-MUCH
I can almost hear him say
please understand, her work was done
Imogen did not come to stay.

When my daughter died, a huge part of me died with her. I miss her terribly, her laughter, her
babbling, her smell but most of all, her wonderful kisses and hugs.

Sleep tight my beautiful Angel.
Until we are re-united, where I will never let you go again.
Love and miss you more each day
Mummy
xxxxxx
To the moon and back
xxxxxx