Myles Caruana (1990

To honor you, I get up everyday and take a breath.

And start another day without you in it.

To honor you, I laugh and love
with those who knew your smile
And the way your eyes twinkled
with mischief that went on for "Myles & Myles"

To honor you, I take the time to appreciate everyone I love,
I know now there is no guarantee of days or hours spent in their presence, a bonus from above

To honor you, I listen to music you would have liked,
And sing at the top of my lungs, with the windows rolled down.

To honor you, I take chances, say what I feel,
hold nothing back,
Risk making a fool of myself, dance every dance.
While thinking of you running amok

You were my light, my heart, my gift of love,
from the very highest source.
So everyday, I vow to make a difference, share a smile,
live, laugh and love.
And so I set my course
Now I live for us both, so all I do, I do to honor you.

A Few of his Favourite Things

Our LiL Man Myles, We miss you today, no less than yesterday and no more than tomorrow.
Mum, Dad, Mace & Kim

Myles - To the world you were one person,
To me, you and your brother are my "world".

Thank you Denise, I treasure this

Graphic from a very special lady, Angie Trevizio

Myles was born on 18th. October 1990. One of the first things that were apparent was his ability to smile. His catch phrase was “Myles & Myles of Smiles” and that has remained. His first few weeks were mostly uneventful, but that was to change. We won’t dwell on too much of Myles’ trials, but suffice to say that he suffered from Eczema from about 6 weeks, Asthma from about 7 months and his Food Allergies came into play when he started eating solid foods. He also suffered from Osteoporosis in his spine. He never dwelt on his problems but went out and did the things he could, just maybe a little differently from others. Actually, very differently.
Myles also did Taekwondo and Gymnastics as his many activities and did well at both, but especially the Gymnastics. His gymnastics team effort in 2001 which came 2nd. Overall and him 2nd. Individually in the state of Victoria. He was so proud. After his last Intensive Care admission 3 years ago, he could not perform gymnastics at competition or any other level. He was diagnosed with osteoporosis in his spine and could not play any contact sports. He gave that up and took up golf instead.
Myles’ attitude to life was to do what you could when you could. There were many occasions when he was not able to do much either thru hospital admissions or just not feeling well. He never complained about anything and the other amazing thing is that he never wondered why he had so many health issues. He just got on with the job of making the most of what he had. Everyone you speak to has a story about Myles; many also just have memories of a sweet natured human being, who never made anyone feel less than they should. His friends miss his ability to draw people of varying ages, likes and dislikes together as friends. Myles would light up a room upon entering it. He fought incessantly with his brother, but would always end the arguments with “Someone needs a hug”. He was sometimes wise beyond his years and I put this down to having to face a life that was markedly different from most others. He always managed to defuse a situation. If I got upset at something he would respond with “Mum, breathe in the positivity and breathe out the negativity.” , and while these might be words to some, Myles lived them.
My aunt has a picture of Myles being a show pony for the camera. It really sums up who he was. And while she is glad he is at peace with God, she wonders if God is at peace with him in heaven? His sense of humor and his laugh must make it a very interesting place. My thoughts are that God wanted him at any price.
His cousins have banded together and created bands to sell to raise money for the Asthma Foundation . To date over $5000 has been raised in his name. This money will be used to educate community groups about asthma.
We were so proud when Myles said that he wanted to be an Organ Donor.. The Tissue Bank has advised us that Myles’ corneas, heart valves, tissue and skin (for burn victims) were successfully harvested. For us it means that there is still a little piece of Myles somewhere.
Myles had an asthma attack on 6th, March 2006. This deteriorated rapidly into a respiratory arrest and then a cardiac arrest, and though the paramedics worked valiantly on him, initially his body was without oxygen for about 10 mins. After stabilizing him, he was transferred to the Royal Children’s Hospital. He was to remain in ICU until 22nd. March. We were told that there were parts of his brain that were damaged due to the oxygen deprivation. At the very least, he did not respond to sensory touch and would be paralyzed and would also be blind. We were still waiting for him to wake up. He had a good day on that Wednesday and Thursday, but Thursday night he started to deteriorate and as he could not swallow, fluid was building up in his throat. Friday morning, on doctor’s advice, we decided to keep him comfortable and pain free. Myles passed away peacefully, at 6am Sunday 26th. March. I will forever feel grateful that we were able to spend those two days with him telling him all that we wanted. I hope that the family and friends who did the same have positive memories of that time. My wish to have him at any price was not possible. We would have made any alterations to our life and home if it meant we could have had him with us.

They say that the measure of a man is the respect in which he is held. Myles might not have been a man yet, but it is humbling to see the respect in which he is held.

Myles’ real legacy to us will be to remember that life is too short too make excuses. He lived one day at a time, and packed a lot of loving and living into his 15 years.

My Letter to Myles

It’s been 365 days
since you’ve been gone
This past year has been desolate
We’ve tried to be strong

Oh , how we miss you
You can never suppose
We’ve each done things differently
And so I set down this prose

Your dad has been inconsolable
He can’t understand it at all
The times without you with him
Leave him wondering why he can’t call

Your brother has been steadfast
He has studied with care
But he misses you too
Sometimes it’s too much to bear

I’ve tried to be busy
Thru the nights and the days
Thoughts of you crowd my mind
So that sometimes they vanish in the haze

We’ve all tried to be supportive
But sometimes it’s a hard call
You see, you’re the best
You’re the best part of us all

And so we go on,
Missing you more each day
With family and friends beside us
Supporting us through the way

We will never forget the best part of you
Your love, thoughtfulness, cheer have inspired
A few and a great many too
To be like you, it’s our hearts desire

Because you’re so special to us
We’ve often wondered
Why God only takes the best
It’s broken our hearts asunder........ MUM

Were you one of the Lucky Ones?

Did you see that smiling face,
Did you hear his infectious laugh?

Did you know the one that had a hug
for even the ones that fussed at him?

Did you ever go somewhere and know
when the life of the party arrived?

Did you know the one that could make
the best of the worst situation?

Did you feel like you were a special
person around him?

Did you ever feel so loved?
Were you one of the lucky ones...

THAT GOT TO MEET MY SON ANDHEAR HIM SAY
"SOMEONE NEEDS A HUG"

I Thought Of You

I thought of you with love today, but that is nothing new.
I thought about you yesterday, and the day befor that too.
I think of you in silence, I often say your name,
But all I have is memories and your picture in a frame.

Your memory is my keepsake, with which I'll never part.
God has you in his keeping, I have you in my heart.
I shed tears for what might have been, a million times I've cried.
If love alone could have saved you, you never would have died.

In life I loved you dearly, in death I love you still,
In my heart you hold a place no one could ever fill.
It broke my heart to lose you, but you didn't go alone
For part of me went with you, the day God took you home

Mum, Save the Last Dance for Me

Sydney 2006, So proud
of his spray on tattoo