Our son, our hero.
Jay Mac Ritchie 18 July - 2 September 2021.
“When I think about what Jay loved most in the world it would have to be the pampering! Jay was a sensory baby and loved hand hugs to his head, his hair being brushed, and he was most relaxed in a good bubble bath.”
Jay’s Mum, Sarah.
For Jay, from Auntie Lucy.
Lucy’s speech at Jay’s memorial service.
"On the 18th of July 2021, a sweet, courageous and beautiful baby boy was born.
In that moment, a mother and father were born, and an auntie too. We took on special new roles in life, thanks to a precious boy named Jay Mac Ritchie.
My role as auntie to Jay is something I feel is sacred.
My role was to guide, protect and be a guardian to Jay, always and forever.
But my baby boy, you are now my guardian.
Proud doesn’t even come close to describing how I feel about my nephew.
Jay was strong, charismatic and a total darling. He had the brightest light which shone from within him. Nothing could dim it. Not the pain, not the tubes, nothing.
My nephew was a hero. The description of a hero is a person who in the face of danger, combats adversity through feats of courage and strength.
Jay was assigned a mountain, to show others it can be moved.
His determination and resilience is one of his greatest legacies. Something which inspires many of us.
As an auntie, I will continue to help keep Jay’s spirit alive. I will support your amazing parents, talk about you, and think about you everyday. When I told my big girl Sage that Jay didn’t have long to live, she said she would think about him 100% of her days. And Jay got one of his nicknames from his big cousin Ruby, who affectionately named him our treasure baby.
Jay, you came into this world to make a mark, and what a mark you made.
So to all of us here, let’s draw some inspiration from Jay.
“Don’t count the days, make the days count”
And to my beautiful nephew. Auntie loves you so much."