TODAY I’ve handed my blog over to Lu Etchells, our Family Support and Fundraising Coordinator, to say a few words about the last week.

I’ve known Dawn for a little over three years now, and like many, I’ve often been awed by her passion, determination and her uncrushable spirit. Josh was our SuperJosh, but she is our Super Woman.

Sometimes though, even Super Woman has a little wobble, because underneath it all, she’s just a Mum who misses her boy more than any of my words could do justice to.

Last week was a tough one, perhaps slightly more than usual.

Social media was filled, as it should be, with photos of Bury’s school leavers, celebrating the end of one era, and looking forward to the next chapter of their journey. In three weeks we’ll be celebrating what would have been Josh’s 17th Birthday, but there are no end of school photos for him.

It’s something far too many parents have to face – the losses of all the milestones, and the ache that brings.

I know all Josh’s family, friends and loved ones feel these events, and the pain (and sometimes smiles) they bring are all part of the journey as we carry on. The thing that always strikes me with Josh’s charity is the acceptance and understanding that every child’s and family’s journey is unique to them.

This was so clear at the Ward 84 party we went to on Sunday. An amazing event, packed with facepainters, balloon modellers, Disney princesses and even the occasional superhero, the rooms were filled with laughter, music and smiles. This annual event celebrates the children who are still undergoing treatment, and those who have successfully completed their latest round of chemotherapy.

But a quiet corner was respectfully set aside for all the children that couldn’t be there, the ones who had grown their wings and whose loss is an ever present reminder of how important it is to grab those smiles whilst you can.

Stepping in to The Angel Room is a deeply moving experience, and for once, something that knocked our own Super Woman for six. For many, a photo of their precious child was a way for them to be present and part of the celebrations, for Dawn, it was too much.

It’s hard to say what sparked another wobble, but as an outsider looking in, I think it’s purely down to the way we approach life without Josh. We are all about the colour, the smiles, and the thumbs up. We know SuperJosh is everywhere, his legacy helps every day, and it felt wrong him being set to one side in a quiet room. Miles away from the cake. His photo had to come down.

The Angel room is precious in a beautiful way, but just wasn’t right for him.

Grief is a never-ending journey, and everyone walks it differently.