View all 24 Photos »

Laura Elisabeth Rhodes

This website is dedicated to the memory of someone I sadly never had the opportunity to meet, Miss Laura Elisabeth Rhodes.





Sadly, Laura passed away at the tender age of 13 after the torment caused by others simply became too much.


This site is created in memory of a truly beautiful, sensitive young lady whose memory shall live on.


Sleep peacefully on the cotton clouds,


Gemma Lang, Full Stop 2 Bullying
www.fullstop2bullying.co.uk




x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x




From Laura's parents, Yvonne & Mike


We are Laura's parents, Mike and Yvonne Rhodes. . Laura was bullied at school about her weight initially. When she confided in a girl whom she considered to be a friend, that she might be gay, she was also bullied about that. We complained to the school on countless occasions. It is a matter of history that we were unsuccessful in trying to resolve the situation with the school. A year after Laura was transferred to a Pupil Referral Unit our lovely daughter died, after taking a fatal overdose of painkillers, on September 4th 2004. Laura wrote an account of a day at school detailing exactly how the bullying made her feel. We released this to the press following her funeral, so that every person who read it could walk in Laura's shoes for just the few minutes that it took to read it. . We wish every child could read it. It is heartbreaking, but very enlightening.
We have at last obtained an admission from the Education Authority that Laura was indeed bullied at Cefn Saeson School, and that the bullying was 'hurtful and damaging' to Laura. We have had to fight very long and hard for this admission We had to shout to anyone who would listen, and speak publicly about the most painful thing that a parent can ever experience, when the only thing we wanted to do was withdraw and deal with our grief. To not have fought for Laura was unthinkable for us. We never want another child, or another set of parents to have to deal with the decimation of their family lives. We fight not for us, or Laura, it's too late for us, we fight for the future Laura's. We'll continue to do so as long as there are bullied children.


www.fullstop2bullying.co.uk



x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x


POEMS BY LAURA'S MUM.

An Anniversary Poem

Two long years ago today, that’s when time stood still,
No more time to do it all, no more dreams fulfilled.
I can’t believe it’s been that long, with you a sight unseen,
I wonder what you look like now, ‘cause now you’d be fifteen.

What colour is your hair today? I loved it chocolate brown,
Your eyes twinkling bright as stars, as you head off to town.
Your clothes, the latest trend to date, you’re dressed up to the nines,
Come and show them off to me, They’ll be the nicest signs!

As I awake, with each new day, I hope the pain has gone,
But as it grips my heart with claws, I know that hope’s forlorn.
The saddest thing of all for me, is not to see your face,
As you grow up and change, from girl to lady, full of grace.

I miss your hugs and cuddles, the smell of you, so sweet,
If I could get a glimpse of you, my joy would be complete.
I miss our journeys out together, though they were quite rare,
Your warm arm through mine, no feeling could compare.

Another year has crawled by, the hands of time held back,
Some days I’m in the pit, some others are just black.
I’m trying hard to ‘come to terms’, that’s what people say,
We have to ‘get over it’. I wish they’d show the way.

For Laura from her Mum


x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x


Funeral Fit for a Princess.



On a wet and windy Wednesday,

The dreaded day arrived,

The Church filled to capacity,

The mourners, from far and wide.



Our Princess lay in perfect state,

in the silver coloured hearse.

Police cars keeping clear the roads,

As befits Miss Laura Rhodes.



She took the centre stage that day,

As they wheeled her down the aisle

Ruby Tuesday, by Melanie

Was what she chose, her style.



‘Morning has Broken’ was the hymn,

Our baby had requested,

It reminded her of times less grim,

Our nerve was greatly tested.



The haunting strains of music,

Tore all our hearts asunder.

The fog of pain and bewilderment

Threatened to drag us under.



The faces of the congregation

Were wet with salty tears,

The memory of this awful day

Will stay with them for years.



A funeral fit for a Princess,

Is just what she deserved.

She wouldn’t have a Wedding Day,

So we prayed this day would serve



X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X


In Honour of Laura.


I felt you move with fluttery grace,
I saw on scan tv, your beautiful face,
You grew and grew, and so did I!
We bowled along under blue sky.


The time came round for you to emerge,
the family of three, into four would merge
A baby, a toddler, a little girl,
the time went by in a wonderful whirl.


You talked a blue streak, so very small,
our sweet little dragon, was growing quite tall.
At school your very favourite place to sit,
Was on the 'Hotseat', where your tales were always a hit!!


As you grew up, you fell in love,
With music which shook the ceilings above!!
You made me watch with you, the music channel,
Pink, Christina, whoever, we'd be the panel!!


Then came the testing , of your poor old Mum,
The questions got harder, my brain got numb!!
You'd say 'Who sung this?' and what was their last one?
I'd think 'Oh Yeah, I know it, At last I've won!!!!!


I miss you my darling, I wish you were here,
I'd never again complain if only you're near.
I miss all your foibles, the things so very YOU,
I kid myself daily, that it isn't true.


But my memory recalls it, that fateful day,
That Saturday morning, when you went away.
I wish that it didn't, it hurts like Hell,
It'll be forever, my prison cell.


Yvonne Rhodes.



X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X



LAURA . . . . love mum x x x


I hear the music thumping, it comes from up above,
Laura's up there showering, she gives the door a shove.
I hear her favourite music, each day a different song
It's Nickleback that I can hear, there must be something wrong.


Each day she spent in misery, the insults aimed at her,
Did they think their nasty words just wouldn't cause a stir?,
She heard them call her horrid names, her eyes were full of tears,
For them to fall down her cheeks, would just confirm her fears.


They saw that they had hurt her, as they set out to do.
The stupid lot of idiots, they hadn't got a clue!
The hole it left inside her, was more than she could bear,
The feeling it endangered, was pure black despair.


When Laura was on holiday, we saw her other side,
The chatty Cathy girl we loved, with sparkling, pretty eyes.
She used her charm to great effect, we loved her razor wit,
When she smiled she lit the room, we loved her, we admit.


The room above silent now, our girl just isn't there,
No more songs that tell her mood, no more times to share.
She felt the pain so long and hard, we hope that now it's gone,
Up in Heaven, there is no pain, just a brand new dawn.




X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X



Silence . . . .


Silence can mean so many things,
Sound carried high on golden wings.
A deep and lonely soundless cry,
Drifting on up, to black night sky.


Silence shared by lifelong friends,
Unspoken thoughts it can transcend.
No need to fill the empty void,
The comfort there to be enjoyed.


In the house where the new babe lies,
A half hour's silence is considered a prize!
But if it goes on, just a tad too long,
Her Mummy panics, lest something's wrong.


I sit here thinking of days gone by,
This silence so think, I want to cry.
Did I say cry? No!, I mean scream,
Please take away this nightmare dream.


The silence of sleep comes at a price,
I wake exhausted, to be precise.
There may be silence, ie, no sound
But in dreams, image and noise abound.


I just write what silence means to me,
I think it differs for all, to some degree,
If I could change a single thing,
I'd fill this house with Laura's din!



X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X



Passing Over to the Other Side.


It was a misty early morning, when Laura took her leave,
My sisters came to get her, leaving us to cry and grieve.
She rose up gracefully, and joined her hands with theirs,
She is healed, she is whole, all free from worldly cares.


She hugged us tightly, kissed us all, we couldn’t feel her touch
The pain inside us filled the room, it hurt so very much.
The spirit trilogy watched us there, held out their heavenly hand,
Embraced us with their love, as far as it would span.


We sat there broken hearted, beside her earthly shell.
She didn’t need it now, her soul was free and well.
My sisters beckoned, they had to go, their fingers, all entwined
She didn't panic, she didn't fret, she felt the ties that bind.


I know she visits, I see the signs, I feel her all around.
I'd like to know without a doubt, that happiness abounds,
She's safe inside the circle, of our family's care.
They'll look after her, until we two get there.



For my Heavenly Daughter Laura, from Mum xxx



X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

Missing you this Christmas
LAURA ELISABETH RHODES

Though you're far away this Christmas
and we wish that you were not
we find ourselves thinking of you and
missing you a lot.
Fond memories of past Christmases
flood our minds while we're apart
and this Christmas, as in the past,
we'll keep you close at heart.

Christmas 2006 x x x

X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X


To Yvonne & Mike,


Sadly, I never had the chance to meet your Laura but when I hear you speak of her I know she was a truly special and much loved daughter.


I am grateful for your permission to create this memorial. Laura left this world too soon, but she will live on as her memory is kept alive by youselves, those who loved her and many of us who have been touched by Laura's story.


Thinking of you as always,


Gemma x x x
Full Stop 2 Bullying
www.fullstop2bullying.co.uk



X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X



This website was made for Laura by Full Stop 2 Bullying. If you are the victim or just want some advice please visit Full Stop 2 Bullying's website at

www.fullstop2bullying.co.uk

Add TributeTributes to Laura

There have been 111 tributes left for Laura.

page:

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

... 12

When you feel most, that I am not here, you are not listening, for I am near,

Through your tears, I see your pain, But I have no fear, because heaven I have gained.

When you sleep, I kiss your cheek, because I know in your dreams, it is me you seek,

So do not wonder, where I am,

I am now in heaven, holding God's hand.

And just a breath away from you .....

Yvonne Richards Mum (Friend)
May 15, 2009

Don’t Think I Do Not Grieve (poem)

Don’t think I do not feel;
because you see no tears.
A river rages deep inside
of grief, and loss, and fears.

Just because I do not cry now,
don’t think my heart’s not broken.
I keep inside the misery
of words not to be spoken.

Sometimes I smile, or crack a joke,
so you won’t see the pain;
or notice how my hands will shake,
or how I’ve gone insane.

Each time I chance to think of her,
my heart is ripped asunder.
The loss I feel is mine alone.
you will not see my thunder.

Tonya Kaapke
April 19, 2009

A Letter to Laura on her 18th Birthday.

Dear Laura,

I have a bouquet of flowers for you today. This is the only gift that I can give. I have eighteen flowers for you, one for each year that you would have lived. Each has been chosen very carefully.
I’ll start with your birth, and give you (1) a Daisy. This is a symbol of your new-born innocence. Oh what a wonderful life was ahead of us. 2. Lily of the Valley signifies your sweetness and you WERE a sweet little girl. 3. Peony is indicative of your bashfulness, you were shy, but you also loved to talk. 4. Mimosa is the flower to show sensitivity and you had that in spades. 5. Pretty Anemone is a talisman of sincerity, just as you were. 6. The lovely pale blue Cornflower is the badge of your delicacy. 7. Noble Iris indicates your eloquence. You were eloquent both in speech and in your writing. 8. Your grace is commemorated by lovely fragrant Jasmine. 9. Orchid, grown in a hothouse is such a fitting flower to celebrate your beauty, both outside and in. 10. The happy memories that we made during your lifetime are signified by Periwinkle. And there are many, many happy memories. 11. The bonds of love that we forged can be recognised by the Honeysuckle. Those bonds are indestructible. 12 Comical Pansies depict our loving thoughts to you. 13 A Pink Rose is what I give you to illustrate the perfect happiness that we once had. 14. Delicate little Baby’s Breath is what we have for you…………. everlasting love. 15. The pink Carnation means that I’ll never forget you. 16. I give you a Forget-Me-Not as an emblem of the true love that existed, and will forever exist between us. 17. It is with great regret I give you the flower that signifies Goodbye, Sweet pea. 18. Lastly I give you the red Poppy of eternal sleep. Until we meet again. I wrap this bouquet with sheets of love and tie it with ribbons of soul and present it to you on your 18th Birthday. Love from Mam xxxxxx

Yvonne Rhodes (Mum)
April 18, 2009

For Laura’s 18th Birthday

Today you would have ‘come of age’,
Left your childhood far behind.
You would have started a new page,
Perhaps begun works daily grind.
With age comes wisdom so it’s said
But alas you’ll never know.
Your path took you away instead
With no more chance to grow
The only gift that we can give you
On this, your special day,
Is to say we love you, and miss you too
More than we can ever say.
Yvonne Rhodes.
Love from Mam & Dad xxxxxxxxxxx

Yvonne Rhodes (Mum)
April 18, 2009

Poem from Me to you xxx

I Remember.

I remember your tiny face when you were born,
Not squashed or wrinkled nor looking worn,
It was pretty and pink with eyes so wise,
I just knew you were an Angel in disguise.
Laura’s Mumxxx

Yvonne Rhodes (Mum)
March 1, 2009

I Miss You

Hello Laura. Hello seems a silly word to say to you. I want to call and call you until you answer, but I know that you never will. I've missed you so much. It's a real physical pain.
Can you hear me?
Do you hear me whisper in the night?
Or when I shout aloud into the light?
Do you look at me and think ‘poor soul,
Don’t you know I fulfilled my role.’
Was your work here already done?
But your earthly life had scarce begun.
Do you move just out of sight?
Do you hear me whisper in the night?
Yvonne Rhodes.

Yvonne Rhodes (Mum)
February 22, 2009

____________$$$$$$
____________$$$$$$$$$
____________$$$$$$$$$
____________$$$$$$$$$$$
_____________$$$$$$$$$
_____$$$$$$_____$$$$$$$$$$
____$$$$$$$$__$$$$$$_____$$$
___$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$_________$
___$$$$$$$$$$$$$$______$__$
___$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$_____$$$_$
___$$$$$$$$$$$__________$$$_$_____$$
____$$$$$$$$$____________$$_$$$$_$$$$
______$$$__$$__$$$______________$$$$
___________$$____$_______________$
____________$$____$______________$
_____________$$___$$$__________$$
_______________$$$_$$$$$$_$$$$$
________________$$____$$_$$$$$
_______________$$$$$___$$$$$$$$$$
_______________$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
_______________$$_$$$$$$$$$$$$$$__$$
_______________$$__$$$$$$$$$$$___$_$
______________$$$__$___$$$______$$$$
______________$$$_$__________$$_$$$$
______________$$$$$_________$$$$_$_$
_______________$$$$__________$$$__$$
_____$$$$_________$________________$
___$$$___$$______$$$_____________$$
__$___$$__$$_____$__$$$_____$$__$$
_$$____$___$_______$$$$$$$$$$$$$
_$$_____$___$_____$$$$$_$$___$$$
_$$_____$___$___$$$$____$____$$
__$_____$$__$$$$$$$____$$_$$$$$
__$$_____$___$_$$_____$__$__$$$$$$$$$$$$
___$_____$$__$_$_____$_$$$__$$__$______$$$
____$$_________$___$$_$___$$__$$_________$
_____$$_$$$$___$__$$__$__________________$
______$$____$__$$$____$__________________$
_______$____$__$_______$$______________$$
_______$$$$_$$$_________$$$$$$$__$$$$$$
love allways debbie xx

Debbie Xxxx
January 22, 2009

Christmas Message

It's Christmas Day again and this day is so HARD to get through. Please let us know you're close, although we have no doubt that you are.
Please know that we love you and miss you so much.
Love Mam and Dad xxxxxxxxxx

Yvonne Rhodes (Mum)
December 25, 2008

’\:’\’\::|::/’::/’/’
....’\’\::’\:|:/’:/’/’....___,•’`�`’•,
.....’\’\’\|/’/’/’......../..........._/
.......’\’\|/’/’...,.~~/=====_/
........[||||].....(_________) .
..........||.....,•’`.._....._....`’•,
..........||.../...... (o)(o)` ......\
..........||..|............ ...........I
..........||...\.......\____/......./
..........||.....’•,_............._,•’
.........,||..,~•��\\\\(@)//__ . *
.....,•’`.||..............////\\\.......`’•,
.....’,...||.............////O\\...........\
..,•’`...,||•’`�`’•,...////.....\\..….\
..’,_______,•’..///...O...../......| . *
.......,|.||.........................\..….|
....../..||.............O.................I
/’��`’•,_||............................./
_.’•.___.~...’`.......,’•._,.•’•,_..•’
.....’•.__,.•’•.,_.,.•’...............
...........{_}
......... /......\\............_/\_happy christmas xxx
........ /........\\.........*>,“<
....... /_____\\\......*
.... {`______`}\\....* , + *
....././..o....o..\\\\\........_/\_
...(....(__O__)...)\\.......>,”
...{.........u....`-“}\\\..+ *
... {..................}\......*,+*.._/\_ * + . *
.... /{..............}\\.........*,..>,”< + * * +
... /....“............“...\\...*........*
.. /_/......`“`.....\\\\_\\..* + ., * * , +*
..{__}##[ ]##{__}\
..(_/\\\\\\\|\\\\\_/\\_)\..
.......|___|___|\\........+ * , . ** , . * +
...........|--|--|\\\.......+,*+..*

Debbie Xxxx
December 8, 2008

______.. ` /`__________' .. ' /______
________`-/___' a___a`___..-'______ __
_________|____, '(_)`.____|____ _____
_________..___( ._|_. )___/_________
__________..___`.__, '___/__________
__________.-`.______ _, '-.__________
________, '__, '___`-'___`.__ `._______
_______/___/_____X__ ___..___..____
_____, '____/_____o______. .___`.___
___, '_____|______x_____ __|_____`._
__|_____, '|_______o_______|` . _____|
___`.__, '_.-.._____x______/ -._`.__, '__
_________/_`.____o__ __, '__.._______
__.''-._, '______`._:_, '_______`., -''.__
_/_, -._`_______)___(________ '_, -.__..
(_(___`._____, '_____`.______, '___)_)
_.._..____..__, '________`.____/___ /_/__
__`.`._, '_/_____________.._ _`._, ', '____
___`.__.-'_____ _________`-.___, '____
happy christmas sweetheart xx

Debbie Xxxx
December 2, 2008

page:

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

... 12

Add GiftLaura's Gifts

Laura doesn't have any gifts yet. Why not be the first to add one?

Add a Gift to Laura's memorial

All proceeds from gifts go to the upkeep of GoneTooSoon and help keep this site free.