The extraordinary Jemima Layzell wanted to be an author. She is now, but sadly posthumously. She died, unexpectedly, from a brain haemorrhage last year. However, at the age of 13 she decided she wanted to be an organ donor. She saved the lives of eight people and transformed the lives of two more. I urge you to buy her book. It has been endorsed by two children’s laureates, Dame Jacqueline Wilson and Michael Morpurgo. Her book is published today and available via Amazon. Today would have been her birthday. Our thoughts are with Harvey, Sophy and Amelia, who survive her. Please share this, it needs to reach as many people as possible.
Today I am honouring Jemima Layzell,
She wanted to write and she does it well.
She’s prodigiously gifted, as you will see,
If you buy her extraordinarily prescient diary.
Just before she died she told her dad,
That if she did, it would make her glad,
To donate her organs to keep others alive,
That her death would permit others to survive..
A mature approach, and very bold,
Astonishing for one only 13 years old.
Her parents made this fervent wish arrive,
Thanks to them and her, 10 people now thrive.
And now they’ve fulfilled her second dream,
To be a part of academe.
So gentle reader, buy her book,
I assure you it is definitely worth a look.

Darling, this poem is absolutely beautiful. I know how many tears you shed writing it but above all I all know that it is written as a beautiful gift from one beautiful soul to another. Happy Birthday Jemima and congratulations on being a published author. xx
Thank you my love, I just wish I had not had to write it…
Wonderful poem, wonderful tribute. Your generosity of spirit always amazes me, I am truly iin awe of you. Greatest respect to you!! 🙂
Thank you Helen, but the greta
est gift you could give me would to buy the book and share this post…
Your wish is my command! Done, ordered and on its way from Amazon! Also will reblog to spread the word! 🙂
Thank you so very very much!
What an amazing girl and what a great loss. Who knows what else she could have accomplished! Sharing.
Thanks so much Alessa. No, she and her dad were talking about euthanasia the week before she died and she told him that if she died she wanted to donate her organs and when she did, they followed her wishes…
Great elegy, Caro!
Thanks Roy. Please share. It needs to reach as many people as possible…
Reblogged this on helenvalentina and commented:
Spreading the word on a wonderful book – Caro’s poem and tribute is heartfelt and beautiful, underscoring the sadness of a creative artist lost to the world too soon, and a wonderful promotion for this author’s work! 🙂
Thank you, thank you, thank you Helen!
Thanks to all of you who liked this post…please share…it needs to reach as many people as pssible…