Gianna Jessen's Birth Certificate

Gianna Jessen. Born during Saline abortion 4/6/77 6:00am. Length: 39cm Transferred to [blotted out] upon birth where she remained until discharge 6/6/77.

In Memory of Baby Miles Ash

I very rarely pick up Christchurch's largest newspaper, The Press. This is due to my general dissilusionment with most mainstream forms of media - but this paper in particular, thanks to it's strong undertones of pro-Government spin. Even less often do I glance at the Family Notices page. However, tonight, intrigued by the several adverts featuring colour pictures of happy couples, I took a look.

Baby Miles Ash's birth notice was the first in the Births column, and read...

Craig and Briar, parents of baby Miles Regan, born on April 17, 2008, at National Women's Hospital (6lb 6oz). Very proud of our precious wee angel.

Very Much loved
wee boy
you will always be
in mummy and
daddy's hearts
and you will always be
in our thoughts,
wondering what
you're doing.
We will miss you
with everything we've got
and can't wait to meet
you there.

Love Mum and Dad

I was confused. This looked more like a death notice than a birth notice. Was it in the Births column? Yes. They must have got it wrong, a mistake... I continued reading down the Births column - and then glanced over at the Deaths. Second on the list was 'Ash, Miles'.

With disbelief and growing sadness, I read the death notice for baby Miles Ash.

17/04/08 - 19/04/08

Dear baby Miles. A very cherished well loved wee man who will be held in our hearts forever.
Love always - Aunty Jess, Uncle Jeremy, and cousins Jaeda and Breana

The poor wee thing only lived for three days. Isn't it amazing, a little boy was born, and two days later he was dead. We all take life for granted so much of the time. Let's stop and think and be thankful for the time we have been given. And let's also remember that we have not been guaruanteed another minute of our lives. In Psalm 39, King David writes...

“LORD, make me to know my end,
And what is the measure of my days,
That I may know how frail I am.
Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths,
And my age is as nothing before You;
Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor.
- Psalm 39:4-6