How beautiful you were, my sweet baby girl. You came into this world and into my life in 1985. I loved you the moment I saw you with your screwed up little face.

Right from the start you were perfect in every way. The only time you cried was when you were hungry or if I was out of sight at playtime.

Over the next five years I had a few problems to sort out but the highlight at the end of it all was you.

The next six or seven years seemed the typical mother/daughter relationship with all the usual ups and downs, but the `hugs and loves' in the end made life all very worthwhile.

You didn't like sport very much, but for Mum's sake you tried netball and shot put; you did exceedingly well.

Maybe we did the wrong thing by moving North or could the outcome have been anywhere? There was so much for you to contend with at the ripe old age of 13. Bigger schools, large population, huge shopping malls (Yes, I hear you say) and very different attitudes.

I watched you, my darling, change from your caring, loving, pretty self into someone I no longer knew or understood.

You were introduced to a new friend. We both knew this was a very fickle friendship and I did not want it to continue. But the way you felt about this new exciting friend was they would `love' you, you would love back, for better, for worse, good or bad, ups and downs, depression, insecurities until death do you part. Friend's Name: Heroin. You were just 14 years old.

Now I cry for you, my sweet angel, because you are out of my sight, but never out of my heart.

I love you. Mama

In memory of Amber Catherine Stewart, 2-9-85 to 8-3-2000