Time was precious so she filled it with love
WHEN Emma realised she was going to die, her whole life became about her boys, Joshua, seven, and Ben, five.
Propped up on pillows, she’d paint with them, read to them and cuddle them for hours. She bought the classic children’s books she’d loved as a child – such as Gulliver’s Travels – wrote special messages in them and put them away for future birthdays when she’d be gone.
But most of all, she put on a happy face, never showing how desperate she must really have been feeling inside.
Even as a girl, Emma was exceptional – sensitive, artistic, clever and musical. She loved camping, animals, nature and reading. She was good at everything she did. Aged ten she was top of her class and danced through the 11-plus.
Secondary school was harder. She loved the work but found the social side trickier. It took two moves before she settled, but when she did, she flew.
After A-levels came university in London, where she studied drama and musical theatre.
For a while she joined a travelling theatre group and an Abba tribute band but the money was terrible, so she applied for teacher training and settled in a lovely school in Herne Bay, Kent.
Teaching came naturally. She loved being able to make a difference for the children – to nurture them and make sure that no one was bullied as she had been.
But she yearned for children of her own. Eventually, after kissing a few frogs, she met Darren, an IT specialist for a bank, through an internet dating site.
At the age of 35, she didn’t dare wait any longer and, in December 2010, after a difficult pregnancy and a traumatic birth, her first son, Joshua, was born.
Emma and Darren were married the following year with six-month-old Joshua the guest of honour in a teeny morning suit. Ben arrived a year later.
Finally, Emma’s life was complete and she loved her young family so much.
The cancer came in early 2015. She battled fiercely and bravely – a double mastectomy, endless procedures. But it spread and spread.
She didn’t want to die – it had taken her so long to meet the man of her dreams and have her beloved babies. They’d had so little time together.
But she didn’t complain, she didn’t despair. Instead, she crammed as much as she could into the time she had left.
Even when she was bedridden, she read reams of books, took up new languages and created an entire portfolio of art. But most of all, she cuddled her boys and showed them how to squeeze life dry.