Angels do live among us, albeit sometimes without the wings and halos. Nine-year-old British boy Bailey Cooper had a mission to accomplish despite being exhausted from unimaginable pain. He held on harder than is expected of a nine-year-old because he had to meet his little sister.
28-year-old Rachel Cooper, Bailey’s mom told him during her pregnancy that she was going to have a girl. Bailey just couldn’t let go without cuddling her. His mum had the baby in November, and Bailey suggested a name on the way to the hospital, a name that just stuck.
He named her Millie, which means ‘gentle strength’. In the month after her birth, Bailey was the model elder brother. He showered Mille with love as best as his condition could permit. He loved her deeply, and he held her close to his heart during the short time they spent together.
Bailey’s Last Days
Bailey knew he didn’t have much longer. He was already in too much pain. He requested that everyone wear superhero outfits at his funeral. “You’re only allowed to cry for twenty minutes,” he told his parents. The poor boy didn’t want to leave the earth knowing they’d cry for too long.
His parents insisted on getting him Christmas gifts. Nearly everything he chose wasn’t normally the kind of thing Bailey would like. He was practically picking toys for Riley, his six-year-old brother. He didn’t want Riley to have to grow into the things he would leave behind.
