Name: Daniel Munnery
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My Plea:
July 19th, 2018. One of the happiest days of my life! I spent most of the day smiling and only one other person knew why. After 5 years of trying, my wife and I had finally achieved something we almost gave up hope of ever realising; we were going to be parents!
Although excited at the prospects of fatherhood, I was also apprehensive. My wife Amy, hardly able to contain her elation and excitement, couldn’t wait to share the news with our family and friends about the impending arrival.
He’ll never know the happiness he created over the coming weeks, but this little boy, whose feet were still taking shape, was already leaving lasting impressions in this world.
Amy experienced terrible morning sickness. Not the most pleasant sound to wake up to or the last thing to hear at night before going to sleep but at our 12 weeks scan it strangely seemed worth it!
We waited with baited breath to see him for the first time, to see our miracle taking perfect form in the protection of his mother’s womb. And like most people in that moment, tears of pure joy fell from our eyes and a gentle squeeze of her hand held in mine spoke a thousand words without one being said. All previous apprehension gone in an instant, replaced with unconditional love for this little boy, only we wouldn’t know his gender until the next scan but when we did, we gave him his name; Arthur Munnery.
We prepared for Arthurs arrival, turning our house into a home, set up his nursery and filled it with all the things he would need and began to imagine life with him in it. Only he would never come home with us.
“I’m so sorry, there’s no heartbeat”. Words no parent should ever have to hear but for so many of us, we have. Six words that bring your world tumbling at your feet, shatters your dreams into pieces, everything you had hoped for and imagined gone and in its place, indescribable pain and sorrow, though for many people reading this, emotions you can relate to more easily.
I knew nothing could prepare us for what was to come. I tried to appear calm and level headed whilst we planned for Arthur’s birth. He would come into this world like any other baby and I found strength in my love for him and his mother. They would both need me to be strong, like an anchor grounding a ship in an unforgiving storm I couldn’t fail them now and I wouldn’t.
With the help of our midwife Victoria, Arthur was born on 09/04/2019, 6lbs and 15.5oz. He was beautiful. It was suggested by our Mum’s that we should give him a middle name, something we hadn’t considered previously. He was to be called Arthur Daniel Munnery. My wife agreed that it was only right that our son should be named after his daddy. For this I am honoured.
Amy was incredible. She says that without me there she couldn’t have gotten through the labour and indeed the last 6 months but I struggle to accept any praise, I have only done what any husband/father would do in that situation and I will always be there for her. It is her physical strength, mental courage and resilience that to this day still amazes me. She is my inspiration.
We are eternally grateful for the precious days we had with Arthur, creating memories that we’ll forever cherish. Holding him in our arms, kissing his soft face and cuddles together just the three of us but to name a few and although we’ll never get to hear his laugh or his first words, see him smile or take his first steps, Arthur will always be our Son and as parents we are immensely proud. Forever in our hearts and always in our thoughts.
What Others Have Said
My brother Dan recently lost his beautiful Son Arthur at 41 weeks on the 07/04/19. Unfortunately Arthur was taken away due to his cord being tightly/doubly wrapped around his neck. The loss was totally unexpected and was a complete shock. Dan and his wife Amy have been trying for a baby for 5 years and when they found out about being pregnant they were over the moon. Loosing baby Arthur has left a big hole in his heart that will never be filled. Despite being so heartbroken, Dan has shown great strength. He has supported Amy and all the family through this difficult time and always puts others first. He has shown that he is a truly inspirational father and husband.
My husband and I could not have wished for a better man for our daughter. It is in the darkest times that people show their true colours. Dan has proved himself to be a truly wonderful and supportive husband. We are very aware that his heart is breaking too and it isn’t easy to put others before yourself when you are grieving. He is truly a caring and devoted husband and we thank him from the bottom of our hearts .
Such a strong and inspirational man. Our thoughts are with you and precious Arthur x
Dan was so excited along with Amy on the impending birth we are wished them so much luck but we were all devastated to hear the sad news about Arthur we just couldn’t believe it. He has shown such strength and has looked after Amy when his heart is breaking too much love to both of you xxxx
Amy and Dan You are both inspirational to others, you have both truly touched my heart.
Great respect to you Dan and thank you from the bottom of my heart for the support you have given to Amy through this very difficult time.
Dan is truly a caring wonderful person married to an equally lovely wife x x our prayers and thoughts are always with them x x baby Arthur in heaven bless him xx love as always xx
So sorry to read this Dan.
No parent should have to go through this. So sad for you both. Thinking of you x
An amazing strong couple!
amazing couple
Dan and Amy were so excited to hear they were expecting their first child. We were all so very happy for them and wished them well when Arthur would be born. We couldn’t believe the tragic news when we heard and so wanted to try to help take the pain away even though we couldn’t . Arthur was so loved by them we are so proud of Dan he has looked after Amy when his poor heart has been breaking too. Dan is a truly wonderful husband and I am sure Arthur is very proud of him
I felt your pain on the day I learned of your sad sad news. There were no words to ease that for you. Dan was a tower of strength getting you both through your most difficult test in life. He did that through his own grief thinking of others before his own needs. He was there for his wife then and still is today as they continue to live on and proudly keep Arthur’s memory alive
I have worked with Dan for many years and know him to be a kind level headed man and he has come back from this terrible tragedy with strength and a down to earth nature. You are an inspiration Dan.
So very sad to read this and my heart breaks for you. Bless you both and so glad you had time to spend with your beautiful baby boy ?
Such a sad story to hear, but you and your wife our incredibly brave and you beautiful baby boy would be proud to have you as parents, looking down on you both, and happy he got to have to quality time together as just the three of you
Thursday 16th May on a cold yet sunny morning, family and friends filled a packed chapel to say their final farewells to baby Arthur. To the sounds of the haunting lyrics of ‘Heaven needed you more’ Dan led the way head held high, he lovingly carried their son’s coffin and placed it on the altar.
With tributes from both Amy, Dan and both sets of grandparents , the service was heart renching yet beautiful. Amy would never have got through that day without you Dan so thank you for your courage.
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Thursday 16th May on a cold yet sunny morning, family and friends filled a packed chapel to say their final farewells to baby Arthur. To the haunting lyrics of ‘ Heaven Needed You More’ Dan led the way, head held high, he lovingly carried their son’s coffin and placed it on the altar. With tributes from Amy, Dan and both sets of grandparents, the service was heart wrenching yet amazingly beautiful. Amy would never have got through that day without you Dan so thank you so much for your courage and love for her and your son.
Loving, caring and brave are just a few words to describe Dan as a father and a husband. Ever since that tragic day, he spent his time and effort putting every one before him, especially Amy. Dan is a role model and hero to every father out there and of course to his beautiful boy Arthur. Dan is an inspiration to us all.