A message from Kerry and Luke, parents to Silva and Darci…
“As December begins, the world around us sparkles with excitement, but for us, Christmas doesn’t feel like Christmas anymore. It’s no longer a season we look forward to. For us, it has become just another day we move through with a mixture of love, longing, and heartbreak.
10th December 2024 was the last time we truly celebrated Christmas. We brought it forward because we didn’t know if our beautiful Silva would still be with us on the real day. That early Christmas, filled with quiet hope, gentle moments and her precious smiles, has become one of the memories we hold onto the tightest. It’s the day we got to see her surrounded by warmth, by family, and by love. 
Christmas, we’ve learned, is the day you make it. If you’re able, build memories with the people who matter most. Hold them close. Let the little moments become the big ones. It won’t take the pain away, nothing ever really does, but those memories become anchors when life changes in ways you never imagined.
Through our grief, The Joshua Tree has been a lifeline. not just for us, but for Silva’s sister, Darci, too. She loves being there. It’s a place where she feels safe enough to talk about Silva, to share her own memories, and to make sense of the pain of losing her only sister. It’s the one place where we can talk about Silva freely and naturally, where her name isn’t whispered or avoided. We can share her stories, laugh at her funny little antics, and celebrate the beautiful, short life she lived. It’s a space where our love for her isn’t met with silence, but with understanding.
We carry Silva with us into a season that will forever feel different. And to anyone else facing December with someone missing from their world, we see you, and we stand with you.”
– Kerry & Luke
If you’ve experienced the loss of a child to cancer and would like support, The Joshua Tree is here for you. You can make a referral here, and a member of our team will be in touch.
If this story has touched your heart and you’d like to help other families, your donation can fund counselling sessions, after-school clubs, and family events for bereaved families. Donate here to make a difference.
Thank you
