Losing a child is one of the most heartbreaking experiences a parent can endure. It’s a life-changing tragedy that no one should ever endure, but unfortunately, it’s a reality for too many families.
Tara Lyons and Daniel O’Sullivan’s home was in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England. An attractive couple wished to start a family and experience parental bliss. When they became parents to a wonderful baby boy named Leo, their deepest wish came true.
After the birth of the child, the life of Tara and Daniel underwent a significant change. They couldn’t help but admire their beautiful baby boy who had transformed into a ray of sunshine and radiated endless love and joy into their lives.
A few years later, the couple received more joyful news: they were expecting a second child. As expected, Tara and Daniel were happy to add to their family and see their adorable baby boy take on the position of big brother.
The couple’s first daughter, Sofia Lyons-O’Sullivan, was born in Hertfordshire in December 2018. A “beautiful, happy baby” who can brighten even the darkest days, Tara referred to her daughter as her mother.
Although she had gestational diabetes throughout Sofia’s pregnancy, Sofia’s mother noted that there were no significant complications. She claimed that both her young daughter’s weight and developmental standards are still met by the child.
Tara claims that her cute and loving little daughter loves to play with her brother and have her hair pulled into cute ponytails. By the time she was one and a half years old, she could also crawl, walk and say a few words. Although some people think that children at that age don’t have personalities, Sofia’s mother said: “She had a lot of them. She was very funny, naughty, and sassy.”
Her parents, Tara and Daniel, said their daughter was a die-hard Moana fan who sat and watched the movie, grinning at the villains and grinning with her favorite characters.
Little Sofia loved being with her brother and making fun of his antics. Tara and Daniel’s lives remained happy and idyllic even as the epidemic arrived in March 2020 and the entire world, including the UK, went into lockdown.
The couple claimed that moving to a larger three-bedroom house with a garden allowed them to have more family time and space. Sofia had her room, which contained pink pillows and leopard print blankets, painted gray mountains on the walls, a stack of books, and a bed.
But in April, a Hertfordshire family’s life changes in a way they never imagined. Despite the sniffles, Tara and Daniel insisted their newborn baby girl is “happy and fit”. They put her to bed one night because they thought she was teething, but were shocked when she refused to eat toast the next morning.
Tara, who was visibly upset, noticed that her baby looked weak like she couldn’t open her eyes. Sofia’s parents rushed her to the hospital, and Tara said the mother screamed when she saw Sofia’s condition, even though the doctor told her parents that Sofia needed antibiotics.
The infant was taken to Great Osmond Street Hospital in London, where several tests were carried out to find out what was wrong, according to the mother. After a day in the hospital, Daniel and Tara received devastating news.
Despite having no symptoms, Sofia was found to have an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), a rare brain condition characterized by improper connections between arteries and veins that affect blood flow.
Sofia would not survive, despite doctors’ efforts to save the young child, the parents were informed. Although Tara’s daughter seemed to be in a normal state, things were getting worse.
Sofia’s parents said six days after being admitted to the hospital, her life support was switched off on Easter Sunday. While holding Sofia, Tara lamented that she only heard Let It Go from Frozen in the background and that she wasn’t sure what it was, but when she looked at Dan, she knew it was time. Her heart was torn apart.
The grieving parents had to prepare to break the news to their beautiful daughter’s older brother as they touched and kissed their daughter. When Leo was seven years old, his parents told him that his baby sister had gone to heaven and would never see her again. She walked into the store with her one-and-a-half-year-old and left with a box of memories, Tara continued.
Sofia’s loss broke her parents, unable to cope with their heart-wrenching grief and anguish. Tara, a publisher at Bloodhound Books, felt compelled to connect with them to honor her little angel and preserve her legacy.
For Sofia’s third birthday in December 2021, Tara said she is working on a Christmas anthology featuring short stories for young adults by several well-known authors. The mother said she wanted to expand her knowledge about the disease that claimed her daughter’s life.
“Written in the Stars” will be released in October 2022, according to Tara. Sofia’s family has only celebrated one birthday with her, but they want to always cherish the great times they shared with her beautiful daughter. According to Tara, the cover of the book features a small child reaching for the stars, reminiscent of Sofia in a gentle and caring way.
Devastated, Tara wanted everyone to see Sofia as a wonderful, devoted young lady who loves Moana. We send our deepest condolences to Tara and Daniel and hope they find comfort in knowing their tiny baby will always be remembered. You sweet angel, rest in God’s arms.
Losing a child is a pain that will never go away, but Tara and Daniel find ways to cope and honor Sofia’s memory. They are grateful for the support they have received from family, friends, and the wider community.