Sunday February 15th, 1998 dawned a bright sunny day. It was the day after my sweet baby Jazmin passed into another life.

We arrived home the night before to a dark, empty house having just said goodbye to the most precious person in our lives. Everything we looked at brought the memory of Jazzy flooding back. Toy’s still on the floor, pictures on the walls, it was almost too much to bear. Helena and I slept that night clutching Jazzy’s pajamas as we still both craved for something that would remind us of our baby. The pajamas still had Jazzy’s smell on them.

At 10.00 AM the next morning, the funeral directors arrived and arrangements were made for Jazzy’s funeral service. It was decided that it would be held on the following Wednesday the 18^th of February at 2.00 PM. This would give us enough time to organize what Helena and I had decided would be the most memorable day possible. Here is the death notice we placed in the Monday morning newspaper: -

WREN. – Jazmin, left us on Feb, 14, 1998, aged 3 ½ years.
Much loved sadly missed daughter to Helena and Sean.
Little sister to Kurt and Kale.
Our darling precious Jazzy.
We were all by your side,
With tears we watched over you
And held your hand and cried.
You fought so hard to stay.
Our hearts were slowly breaking
As we watched you slip away.
Your final breath was so soft and sweet.
Your life was over, you now lie in peace.
We know you had to leave us, you did not go alone.
For part of us went with you the day
The angels took you home.
Forever in our hearts.

Jazzy,

You left us on the day of love,
How appropriate, for you have
Given us so much love and joy.
Thank you Jazzy for all your love.
Now you are safe in the arms of Jesus
Where pain does not exist. We will
Be together again one day.
We will always love you.

Love Mummy, Daddy,Kurt and Kale. XXXXX
 
 

On Monday morning I decided to have a service sheet printed as we expected many people to attend the service, and we wanted them all to have something to remember Jazzy by. We selected a photograph of Jazzy and had it color photo copied onto a sheet with the details of the service. I had two hundred copies printed, which turned out to be not nearly enough.
 
 

We then had the onerous task of selecting Jazzy’s casket, fortunately Kurt and Kale were with us and it turned into something of a shopping spree. We all walked into the room at the Funeral Parlor where there were four caskets on display, needless to say, Helena and I became very emotional but the boys then took over. They wanted the pink casket but with the long handles that were on the white casket, because they wanted to help carry her, but they wanted it painted and not covered in fabric. A quick phone call to the casket maker and the ball was set rolling. Jazzy’s casket would be unique and beautiful. Just like her life and death.

We all went home, and Helena and I then started to flesh out the contents of the service. It went as follows: -

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Welcome Father Peter Cross

Opening Song "Hero" Mariah Carey

(For those who feel they want too, you are now invited to place flowers at the foot of Jazzy’s casket)

Readings

1. A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 16:16-22

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘A little while, and you will see me no more; again a little while, and you will see me.’ Some of his disciples said to one another, ‘What is this that he says to us, "A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me"; and, "because I go to the Father"?’ They said, ‘What does he mean by "a little while"? We do not know what he means.’

Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him; so he said to them, ‘Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, "A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me"?

‘Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. When a woman travail she has sorrow, because her hour has come; but when she is delivered of her child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a child is born into the world. So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.’

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
 
 

Songs Penbank School Quire

Introduced by Vivienne Wearne (School Principle)
 
 

2. A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 18:1-4;19:13-15

At the time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them, and said, ‘Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’

Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people; but Jesus said, ‘Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.’

And he laid his hands on them and went away.

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
 
 

Addresses.

Sean Wren

Helena and Kurt Wren

Sharren Dredge

Barbara Batticciotto (Jazzy’s God Mother)
 
 

Commendation – Committal – Farewell

Song "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" Judy Garland
 
 

Outside Balloon Release

Song "Fly" Celine Dion
 
 

These Four songs are dedicated to Jazmin

"Hero" – Kurt’s special song because he felt his little sister was a hero

"Because You Love Me" – Helena’s special song because Jazmin kept her strong and her hopes high

"Somewhere Over the Rainbow" – Jazmin’s Favorite Video

"Fly" – For now Jazmin has flown away and has been set free

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We had organized for Jazzy to be brought home to us before the service was to be held. Because of the uniqueness of the casket we had to wait until Tuesday afternoon before Jazzy finally arrived. Helena had picked out the outfit we had given Jazzy for Christmas that she would be dressed in for the funeral. It was a white sleeveless top with white pants and a white headband with gold trim around the bow.

There was also a gold, over the shoulder purse on a chain and gold slippers. We had given these clothes to the Funeral Directors on the Sunday morning.

The Funeral Directors then carried Jazzy’s casket into our bedroom and set it on a stand at the foot of our bed. To say we were both apprehensive would be an understatement. The casket was then opened and there lay our baby girl, as beautiful as could be. Jazzy was dressed in her clothes and simply looked asleep. Helena and I cried tears of joy, Jazzy looked a picture. At that point I knew we had done the right thing. The first thing Helena did was paint Jazzy’s lips with their favorite pink lipstick.

From almost the moment Jazzy arrived home, we had a constant stream of visitors. Many were unsure about seeing Jazzy, but were happy they did once they had seen how beautiful she looked.

The next morning we prepared ourselves for the funeral. We said our final good-byes and played Jazzy her favorite music. At 1.00 PM the Hurst arrived and Jazzy began her final journey. We arrived at the church at 1.30 PM and there were many people there already. Helena and I carried Jazzy into the church and placed her at the foot of the altar, we then opened the casket, gave her another kiss and went into the Father Peter’s house to await the beginning of the service.

At 2.00 PM we entered the church, what I saw took my breath away. There were over four hundred people filling the church almost to capacity. I wondered how someone who had lived such a short life, could have such an impact on so many.

We then took our places and the service began. The first song played was "Hero" by Mariah Carey. Kurt heard this song in the car some months ago and he told Helena that it reminded him of Jazzy. The congregation was then invited to come up and place a flower that they had been given at the door on arrival, into Jazzy’s casket. The flowers we used are called Gerber’s. They look like giant daisies but come in many different colors. They were Jazzy’s favorite flowers. By the time all that wanted to, had paid their respects, the casket was overflowing.

I then read the first reading from the Gospel according to Mathew 18:1-4; 19:13-15. It was then time for the Principal of Kurt and Kale’s school to introduce the choir. This was a very poignant moment, a lot of the children were crying and it was difficult for them to sing, but they managed the task admirably. They sang four of Jazzy’s favorite songs – Five Little Duck’s, Miss Polly had a Dolly, Wee Wily Winky and The Giving Song.

It was then time for the Addresses. Helena and I both felt that we had to tell everyone how we felt. I was first, and here is what I had to say :-

My baby Jazzy came into my life on the afternoon of the 23^rd of June 1994. Her life up until the time she was diagnosed, was that of a normal, happy baby and toddler.

Then just sixteen months ago, Helena and I were taken into a room in the Pediatric Ward of the Mornington Peninsula Hospital, and with ten small words from Jazzy’s Pediatrician, our lives would be changed forever, "I have some bad news, Jazmin has a Brain Tumor"

Since then, as if touched by God, Jazzy has fought the hard fight. The surgery, the chemotherapy, the radiation therapy and then, more chemotherapy. Interspersed through all of this, would be more trips back to the Royal Children’s Hospital with infections. The hospital was Jazzy’s second home, so much so that when she knew she was sick, Jazzy would ask to be taken there, she knew they would always help her.

Jazzy was a tough little person though, we would finish a six-day session of chemotherapy and head straight for the beach, where Jazzy would splash happily in the water and chase the sea gulls. Nothing stopped her for long. Always playing and always wanting to be pushed on the swing, for hours and hours she would want to be pushed.

Jazzy has done many things during her short sweet life. She has walked to the top of Mount Bulla, flown on a plane, ridden a tire behind a ski boat, driven a houseboat, and ridden a motor bike and a horse. I guess the most memorable time, was the two-week holiday we had together in Queensland, late last year. Friends gave the holiday to us as a result of a fund raising effort. We had the most fantastic time. For once a normal family.

Jazzy has had the best life I could have hoped for under the circumstances. She has touched many lives all over the world, via her home page on the Internet. And she has touched many lives here, especially mine. I remember when we were told last September, that Jazzy would probably not survive to Christmas. I was trying to read her a story in bed that night, and I was crying like a baby. Jazzy leaned over and gave me a big cuddle and said quite clearly "it will be alright Dad". And she was right, "it will be alright". Jazzy is now free to fly with the angels and swing on the swings forever.

Jazzy was my best friend, I will miss all the phone calls she made to me at work, to ask me what time I would be coming home, and the big cuddles I would get at the front door when I got there.

Jazzy I will always love you.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Doctors, Nurses, and all of the support staff, our second family, at the Royal Children’s Hospital. I would particularly like to thank Penelope who helped Helena and I so much during the day Jazzy died, on the day of love, St Valentines Day.
 
 

I then ended with this poem that was sent to me by a member of the Brain Tumor List Server, on the morning of the funeral: -

Don't think of her as gone away-
Her journey's just begun,
Life holds so many facets-
This earth is only one.
Just think of her as resting
From the sorrows and the tears
In a place of warmth and comfort
Where there are no days and years.
Think how she must be wishing
That we could know today
How nothing but our sadness
Can really pass away.
And think of her as living
In the hearts of those she touched...
For nothing loved is ever lost-
And she was loved so much.
 
 

It was then Helena’s turn. Kurt had written a piece to Jazzy at school the previous day and he decided that he wanted to read it as well. So they both rose and faced the congregation. Here is what Helena had to say: -

My darling little Jazmin
My little boopsy girl.
My little sweet pea.

I have written to you almost everyday since October 12^th, 1996, sixteen months ago. But I am now finding it difficult to put the words together to describe just how beautiful and special you are. Perhaps you were just to beautiful for this world

I had planned and dreamt about having a little girl even before your conception.I told Daddy a little white lie, that I would not be able to get pregnant at that particular time. It worked, I got what I had hoped for and much, much more.

As the Carpenter’s song goes

"On the day that you were born
The angels got together
And decided to create a dream come true"

The hospital soon became our second home, it was like our life line, our umbilical cord.You were never scared there, and all the staff made you feel safe and special. They loved you as much as everyone else did. Even at the end you had no fear.Everyone that knew you fell in love with you. You had a specialness about you with a bright Aura of love. You were truly touched by God. You did so much in your short sweet life; more than most three-year-olds. You climbed the summit of Mt Buller, drove a houseboat, drove my car and crashed it. You have been up on stage, and on T.V, in the Newspapers and met celebrities.

You enjoyed the simple things in life, like the swings. It there was a swing around, you would be on it. You didn't like me to push you, being the protective mother, I would never push you high enough. So you would smile your sweet little smile to someone else, and they would push you high. "Higher, Higher" you would say. You wanted to swing to the moon and the stars. You also loved to shop for clothes, something we did often together. You had great taste. You loved animals, any animals. All in all we had seven fish,, one rabbit, two guinea pigs, a dog, and even a horse in our back yard once. The horse destroyed the garden but that didn’t matter though. The flowers could be replaced.

Nothing can replace you, not the cherished memories of you, or the pleasure and joy that horse gave you.I could go on forever about you. You were, and still are, my favorite topic of conversation. You made my life bright. I thought it would never be bright again when you died; but having your two beautiful big brothers and your memory, will keep it bright. I consider myself to have been blessed for having you. I am the lucky one.You have touched and changed so many lives. I have become a better person because of you and our journey together.

You life was not in vein.

Celine Dion’s song "Because you loved me" sums up just about everything about you. It is my special song. You really did give me strength when I was down and kept my hope up. If I had the choice of not ever having you or going through this pain now, I would never change a thing. It has been worth all the pain. I will never forget the last words you ever spoke to me, they will be with me until we are together again. In the middle of the night you said, ever so softly and sweetly.

"Thank you Mummy"

I thank you Jazmin, for all the love you gave me.

You picked the perfect day to die.

The day of love. St Valentines Day.

That’s what the name Jazmin means.

"LOVE"
 
 
 
 

Kurt then read what he had written: -

Jazzy,

We are all very sad that you’re not here.
We want you back, but I know that you can’t come.
I’ll miss your smile,
But most of all I’ll miss playing with you.
Playing those racing games and playing with all your Barbie dolls.
I’ll miss the chance to be your big brother.
But I know I’ll always be your big brother, even in heaven.
I know that I will miss the chance to share my experiences with you.

I love you a lot,

Kurt.

Half way through reading this, Kurt broke down. And at that point so did four hundred others. It was a very moving tribute, and I am proud to be Kurt’s father

A song by Celine Dione called "Because you love me" was then played, and this was probably the most emotional time for everyone present. The words from the song epitomized everything that Jazzy meant to Helena, and everyone there knew it.

The service then went through the usual ritual, and the time came for Helena, the boys and I, to carry Jazzy from the church. We walked up to the casket, gave Jazzy a last kiss good bye, sealed it and carried it through the church to the waiting Hurst. All of this was done to the sounds of "Somewhere over the Rainbow" by Judy Garland.

We placed Jazzy in the Hurst and then we waited while two hundred helium filled yellow balloons were distributed through the crowd, yellow was Jazzy’s favorite color. Kurt and Kale were given special Tweety Pie balloons, Tweety was Jazzy’s favorite Disney character.

Helena was then handed and white dove. A hush descended over the crowd, and with tears streaming down her face, Helena threw the dove into the air and cried out "Fly away and be free". At that point all of the balloons were released and everyone said their final good-byes.

Jazmin Helene Rose Wren was then taken from us for the last time. She was cremated later the same day.

Jazzy’s ashes have since been returned to us. They will be kept with us for the rest of our lives.

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