| Location | Swansea, Uk |
| Age | 13 years |
| Date of Birth | 4/1991 |
| Date of Death | 9/2004 |
| Visitors | 19,029 since 13/06/2006 |
| Creator |
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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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
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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
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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
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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
Happy 21st Birthday to our Angel, Laura.
Thank you so much for the sign. We could never have dreamed that you could have pulled something THAT huge off!
I wrote the poem on the 22nd of March ready to put on a card on Facebook today.
I was totally astounded when I heard on the News (17th April, 1 day before your Birthday) that the Space Shuttle Discovery was flown from Florida to Virginia on the back of a plane! Here's the poem. You clever, clever girl!!
For Laura
Today is your Birthday, you would be twenty one,
I hope that up in Heaven you’ll still be having fun.
Having a Birthday party, with all the usual things
Cake, gifts, cards and the love that a Birthday brings.
If I send you a balloon, you’ll know that it’s from me,
It will be pink and sparkly, as girly as can be.
Can you reach out and grab it and tie it to a tree?
Somewhere conspicuous so everyone can see.
Can you send a sign and please don’t be subtle,
Something huge will do…. maybe a space shuttle?
Seriously, something small that just we two will know,
So we can hold it to our hearts and feel your love’s glow.
We can’t give you a present or a card,
That’s what makes Birthdays so very hard.
With Love from Mam and Dad xxx
Without You.
We miss you every single day, from night through to the morn,
It’s hard to get used to it, to finally realise that you’ve gone.
Each day is a lesson on just how we must cope,
It takes a lot of time until it’s within our scope.
As days become weeks and weeks become years
We never lose the longing, we still cry painful tears.
We will always miss you, and that’s OK with us,
Having had you in our lives was definitely a plus.
We wouldn’t trade a minute of the precious time we had,
The love that we have shared always made us glad.
Yvonne Rhodes.
For your coming Birthday, with love
Are there birthdays in Heaven, does the angel blow his horn, announcing to everybody, that this is the day you were born?
Can the stars be your balloons and Angel food your cake, presents wrapped in moonbeams all the angels helped to make?
Birthdays meant so much to you, they were always a big deal, birthday presents,
lots of friends and perhaps a special meal,
so I'll whisper a little prayer today, asking everyone up above, to sing you a Happy Birthday song and give you all my love.
~ Author unknown~
For the Beautiful Soul in my life.
A Beautiful Soul.
Having a beautiful soul doesn’t mean you’re perfect,
It doesn’t mean you always say just the right thing.
It doesn’t mean you won’t ever make mistakes,
Or know what consequences your actions will bring.
You may not always be happy or be wearing a happy grin,
Some days will make you angry and you’ll feel like crying too.
You may wish that life was simple without its peaks or troughs
Life just isn’t like that, we all need to experience something new.
Having a beautiful soul means knowing when to say I’m sorry,
It means knowing when to hold out a supportive hand,
And when to offer help, but also when to ask for it.
It means knowing when it’s time to take a stand.
I’m lucky to have had a beautiful soul in my life,
I learned what qualities you need, from them,
My life has been enriched by that beautiful soul,
Amongst every pile of rough cut stones will always shine a gem.
Yvonne Rhodes.
Turning Back The Hands Of Time.
If I could turn back the hands of time,
Maybe you would still be fine.
You’d be here where you should be,
Which is sitting here right next to me.
It can’t happen, the die was cast
The day you breathed your very last.
Would I change things? Of course I would,
I wish you hadn’t been misunderstood.
If I could alter it so you’d not been born,
Would I do it so I didn’t have to mourn?
No I wouldn't, you lit my inner flame,
Without you, my life would have just been pale.
The good times far outweigh the bad,
I cherish every memory I’ve ever had.
Life is more bearable now time has passed,
Some days go slow, some days are fast.
Each day was precious, I treasure it all,
Every blessing and gift, however small.
I’m glad that I had you, that you were my child,
You always gave me so many reasons to smile.
Your memory is close, right next to my heart,
There’s no need to worry about being apart.
Yvonne Rhodes
The Ties That Cannot be Broken.
The day that you died was the worst of my life,
It felt as if my life force had been drained.
The sun seemed dimmer, sounds muffled,
Even when I breathed, the air felt strained.
Music lost its magic, every song hurt,
I even felt pain in every pore,
My eyes cried a waterfall of hot tears,
I just wanted my life as it was before.
As time passed the anger subsided,
The only one I was hurting with it, was me.
I realised my tears were balm for my soul.
I gave up trying to find a healing key.
I know now that it was all necessary,
It was all part of grieving your death,
When you lose a precious part of your life
It’s natural to miss it with every breath.
But I know you’re not really gone,
Your beautiful soul lives on in us,
The connection is still as strong as ever,
I just can’t feel your physical caress.
We’ll meet again one day of that I’m sure,
I know the ties we share cannot be broken.
Yvonne Rhodes.
Embers.
To someone outside looking in, I looked the same as I always did,
No one knows how much grief and sorrow I hid.
It looks as if I function properly and all the lights are on,
Only those who really know me, know a part of me is gone.
The light inside my soul once bright, has dimmed to just a glow,
The embers of the fire that lit me up, now are burning low.
I feed those embers with memories to fan the flames,
I relive every second we spent together, I play the game.
I’m grateful for the memories, I just wish there were more,
Missing you every second of every day cuts me to the core.
When it’s our time to meet again, we’ll have all the time we need,
Together forever, I will be very happy indeed.
Yvonne Rhodes
hinking of you x
Dearest Laura, thinking of you as I often do. I hope wherever you are you know what an amazing effect you have had on the world - I don't just mean your mam and dad and those who knew and loved you but all of those who have been given a voice because of you. We know now why you got your angel wings so soon, though it broke your mam and dads hearts you were clearly needed by the 'man upstairs.' Wherever you are Laura rest knowing you are very special to so many people and when you have time be sure to sprinkle some of those magical fairy dust kisses on your mam and dad just they know your watching over them.
Good night,, god bless x x x x
Candlelight.
Look at the candle, watch it flicker to and fro,
See its shadow duck and jump as it makes moves to go.
See the pretty colours lurking in the flame,
Examine it up closely, you may see your name.
Look deep into the flame, and see what is within,
I peer into my light and see a little tableau begin.
The scene inside is familiar, I’ve seen it many times,
My loved ones moving silently, it’s just like watching mime.
The flame can hold the future, or can look in to the past,
I just know what I see there today will not be the last.
It changes with every new one, it tells another tale,
To see loved ones in there is like finding holy grail.
The world can be your oyster, a pearl nestled snug inside,
Let your imagination fly on golden wings, just enjoy the ride.
Each time the candle splutters and if wind should blow it out,
Simply put wick and flame together and see another sprout.
Yvonne Rhodes.
Poem for Laura.
I Mourn……
I mourn the baby I once held in my arms,
I mourn the child I swore to protect from harm.
I mourn the times when we would have had fun,
I mourn the mother that you won’t become.
I mourn the children that you won’t bear
I mourn the table with those empty chairs.
I mourn the life that you would have had,
I mourn that our lives will always be sad.
Yvonne Rhodes.
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