Rebecca Adlington marks one year since losing ‘angel’ daughter Harper in devastating miscarriage with a heartbreaking poem written by husband Andrew Parsons

Rebecca Adlington marks one year since losing 'angel' daughter Harper in devastating miscarriage with a heartbreaking poem written by husband Andrew Parsons

As I delve into the heartfelt words of Rebecca Adlington, a woman who has faced unspeakable grief yet continues to radiate strength and resilience, I cannot help but be deeply moved by her journey. Her experiences serve as a poignant reminder that life, though filled with joyous moments, is also laced with sorrow and hardship.


Rebecca Adlington commemorated the one-year anniversary of the heartbreaking miscarriage of her daughter Harper, as penned by her husband Andrew Parsons, on Sunday.

35-year-old Olympic medalist mentioned that although her family discuss their newborn daily, she has struggled to decide the most appropriate way to commemorate the heartrending anniversary.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I find myself blessed with a beautiful family that includes my son, Albie, who is 3 years old, and my stepdaughter, Summer, aged 9, both of whom are dear to me. My husband Andrew and I have the privilege of being parents to these wonderful children, and we cherish every moment spent with them.

The athlete posted pictures of a tree dedicated to Harper, along with a candle bearing the message: “Harper, forever in our hearts, you remain our radiant beacon and guardian guide.

In a deeply moving poem, it said: ‘For a considerable time, I’ve imagined you, Harper Parsons, My precious daughter, whom I could claim as mine, You would inherit my blue eyes and your mother’s golden locks, And undoubtedly possess an abundance of athletic charm, Reflecting your mother’s determination and my humor, Or perhaps you might bloom later in life.’

Rebecca Adlington marks one year since losing 'angel' daughter Harper in devastating miscarriage with a heartbreaking poem written by husband Andrew Parsons

Rebecca Adlington marks one year since losing 'angel' daughter Harper in devastating miscarriage with a heartbreaking poem written by husband Andrew Parsons
Rebecca Adlington marks one year since losing 'angel' daughter Harper in devastating miscarriage with a heartbreaking poem written by husband Andrew Parsons

One day in October, everything shifted dramatically. We were informed that our cherished loved one had passed away, which left us stunned and forced us to reconsider all we thought we knew. Hearing that our guardian angel had fallen into eternal rest was heart-wrenching news that cut deeply.

It went on: ‘I often imagined walking with you in the rain, holding hands, something I never thought would cause such distress. I realize I’ll never have the chance to meet you or father you, but each day, that fact brings me sorrow.’

‘The plans we made to make our family a five, Never with any doubt that you wouldn’t thrive, I’m sorry we weren’t ever able to make you smile, I’m sorry you’ve been on your own all this while, Never being able to watch you grow, And never seeing your infectious smile make a room glow, Never being able to see your first dance, Because in all honesty you were never given a chance.

“I missed out on hearing your lovely voice; in a flash, I would gladly trade places with you if offered the chance. Your presence has deepened my love beyond what I thought was possible. It’s amazing how such a tiny thing can help me see things from a more positive perspective.

After so much suffering, our tiny ray of sunshine has arrived. Yet, it seems as if the sky never stops pourning, our cherished younger sibling who is beyond compare, But the moment has come for us to let you go, Ascending to the heavens, that’s where you truly belong.

‘I hope you’re surrounded by those dear to you whom you miss deeply, I imagine you’re filled with joy as if at a grand celebration, It’s certain that laughter and fun are in the air. The knowledge that you’re not on your own warms my heart, Whenever I gaze up at the sky, I’ll watch for your messenger, You’re woven into the fabric of me, And I am intertwined within you.’

‘If you could see the love we held for you, it’s been tough to stay composed, but I find strength for both of us. Though everything seems wrong, no one can fill your void. One day, we’ll reunite and share an eternal hug. Rest assured, I’ll forever cherish you and your name, Harper – a flame that will always burn in my heart.’

Later on, Rebecca titled her post: “Happy Birthday to our darling sleeper-angel. Each day, we reflect on our little girl. Harper remains forever in our hearts and in our lives.

Rebecca Adlington marks one year since losing 'angel' daughter Harper in devastating miscarriage with a heartbreaking poem written by husband Andrew Parsons
Rebecca Adlington marks one year since losing 'angel' daughter Harper in devastating miscarriage with a heartbreaking poem written by husband Andrew Parsons
Rebecca Adlington marks one year since losing 'angel' daughter Harper in devastating miscarriage with a heartbreaking poem written by husband Andrew Parsons
Rebecca Adlington marks one year since losing 'angel' daughter Harper in devastating miscarriage with a heartbreaking poem written by husband Andrew Parsons
Rebecca Adlington marks one year since losing 'angel' daughter Harper in devastating miscarriage with a heartbreaking poem written by husband Andrew Parsons

Here’s a suggestion for rephrasing the given text while maintaining its original meaning:

As I pondered our family’s plans for the day, I grappled with the question of how best to honor her memory, fill it with love, and commemorate this special anniversary. The reality is, there is no one definitive way to do so.

“I want to express my gratitude for all the messages I’ve received. It might not be easy to discuss what’s on your mind, but often people underestimate the impact of just three simple words like ‘thinking of you.’ To anyone who reads this and knows someone struggling, I strongly suggest those three words as a small act of kindness.

I’d like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to @petalscharity. The counseling sessions have been an absolute lifesaver for us, providing essential support that we can’t thank you enough for. Knowing we could check-in with you this week and continue our sessions truly made a world of difference.

In the recent past, I found myself compelled to share my heartbreaking experience – a miscarriage that I recently endured. It was a time of profound sorrow, and I must confess, I couldn’t help but blame myself for this unfortunate event. However, I am grateful for the opportunity I had on Loose Women to express my grief openly. This act of vulnerability has been an essential step towards healing.

She expressed: ‘Following my miscarriage with Harper last year at 20 weeks, I no longer had a visible baby bump. This led people to ask questions like, “Where is the baby?” or “Why doesn’t she have a bump anymore?”‘

She added: ‘It would’ve caused too much speculation and too many questions.’

‘So I kind of was forced to, I’ve learnt my lesson, but it was one of those, I didn’t have a choice but to kind of announce it.’ 

She admitted: ‘And actually I’m really pleased I did, because I think it’s helped a lot of women.’ 

Should this tale resonate with you, you may find guidance at the Miscarriage Association’s website: www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk, or alternatively, you can reach them via phone at 01924 200 799.

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2024-10-21 01:50

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