Apologies for the Afrikaans theme.

It basically can be translated as Heaven-against-the-world-child. I heard the term in an Afrikaans song "Lê jou vlerke neer" by Zybrandt. That song explains why Liam was sent to earth, but only for a short while. Another song that I take note of is that someone always has to die before the world takes note. I think that is doubly true when a child dies.

Liam was really a sunshine child from when he woke up in the morning until he collapsed at night. He was a total ball of energy and could never sit still unless it had to do with the Marines. The last two years I could see him looking and searching for a place where his ethos would fit in and he found it in the US Marine Corps. He downloaded everything about it, quotes, songs they sing and the standards they prescribe to.

Liam had  a lot of beautiful characteristics, but that does not mean he was perfect (although in this mommy's eyes he is always). The below I got from notes people left at his memorial and kids gave us from the memorial at school. People still leave notes in the memory suitcase.

• Authenticity – being one’s true best self. He was his own man.

• Altruistic – Shows selfless concern for others

• Caring – Desire to help others

• Creation of Joy – Filling or sparking joy for others (not entertainment)

• Impartial – treats all persons equally; fair and just

• Good manners - Be courteous and respectful of others, greeting people with a smile, saying please and thank you

• Commitment and resilience – striving to reach a goal whether school orientated or personal and raising their potential

• Character - displays initiative, honesty, respect, responsibility, compassion, optimism

• Positive attitude and cheefulness – being friendly

• Team or group citizenship - Demonstrates consistently, respect, appropriate behaviour and leadership in line with team values

• Team player – willingness to work or play well with others

• Perserverance – getting knocked down, but getting up again with enthusiasm and energy. He was bullied a few times because he was so small build, but he could stand his man and he never let them know he was hurt.

We are talking to the school now to looking into an award for the grade 7 who portrays these characteristic and it would most probably not be the head boy or girl, it might be the underdog or the quiet child. Why do we only focus on academic and sports achievements instead of improving our children's humanity?

Liam came to show us in his 13 years how to live with passion day by day. He had to live that way due to his anxiety levels and I guess his joyish nature was a coping mechanism for him not to get so anxious.

We promised Liam that night in the garden surrounded by death that we will not give up and we will never say when we get to heaven that we stopped living.

Our slogan this year is: Learn to live, which is also Liam's school slogan and we will create memories so that he can smile at us there from heaven.