When Rianna died our world was shattered. Her sudden and tragic death affected not only our lives and those closest to us but also from parents all over who felt the pain of losing a loved one. Our own children and theirs had to learn at an early age that sometimes a life is taken away and we as parents have to try to explain why such things happen and attempt to answer all the questions that children ask when faced with losing a friend.

Rianna’s best friend was Rachel and her parents came to see us the day after Rianna died and brought a book called Water Bugs and Dragonflies. It’s the story of how water bugs live in the murky water at the bottom of a pond until one day, one of the bugs decides to climb up a lily pad and leave the other water bugs behind. When the bug reaches the lily pad it no longer is a plain water bug, but has transformed into a beautiful dragonfly and has discovered the wonderful environment above the pond. Flying around and enjoying the new beautiful surroundings the bug remembers his family at the bottom of the pond and tries to return, but soon realises that he now has wings and cannot return beneath the water. The water bug isn’t sad, because he knows that one day not long from now they will join him in his new life in the sun and air.

Our journey in life has taken a new path, not one we would of hoped for, but one in which we have come to accept and believe that in the bigger picture of life we can turn our loss into something positive and good.

The Dragonfly to us signifies change, new life and hope. As a family we hold on to our belief that God has a plan for our lives and the message is one of hope; it says death is not the end of life, but just part of the journey, a milestone we must all pass. Jesus said, “He who believes in me has eternal life.” John 6:47.

The morning Rianna died, Debbie had been shopping and had bought a picture. In the picture is a pond with a dragonfly and standing on the back of the dragonfly is an angel.

We hope that you will enjoy the website and will continue to visit it and support the work that Rianna’s Fund has been set up to do.   

With our love and gratitude,  

Steven, Debbie, Olivia, Maisie and Faith Davenport.