All my love  / Katy
I came across your site and want to wish you all the support and would like to say thank you to aunty aggie for being there. Ava has a wonderful family and I pray that this tragedy never happens again to anyone
All my love and prayers Close

Beautiful Girl  / Candice
What a beautiful little angel you have watching over you now. I have a 18 month old daughter and I know how much you must love her...  thank you for sharing your touching story and important messages.  I would love to buy one of her super princess Belle & boo prints for my daughters room... thinking maybe a Christmas present. Much love to your family xoxo Close

I cant Breathe  / Emma
While reading Miley Cyrus' book i came across a song she wrote when a friend of hers passed. it was just so beautiful i  had to share it.

I can't tell you why the sun shines
I can't explain the moonrise
I don't know why time flies by
But ask me and ill tell you why -

[Chorus]

I'm blessed to have you in my life
I cant live another day without you by my side
Its gettin' harder and harder to breathe
So I'm beggin' you
Don't take her away from me

Ive known since i met you
You're an angel sent to me
I remember that when you looked in my eyes
I fell in love with your smile

[Bridge]

& I can say - you help my heart beat every day
& I believe ill never be alone
You'll live in me...


Thank you Sheye for sharing Ava with us and allowing us to fall in love and share her with you. Close

Tragity / Shona Martin

I know a friend photographer of Ava's mum and was directed to this website via her's. 

I have no words for what I just read though so much feeling.  Tears streamed down my face as I read this this is a tragity it is pain and it is unfair.  It just reminds me of how blessed I am and to never take any thing for granted life is too precious and too fragile. Cherrish every moment. 

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Your strength and your daughters beauty  / Rachel Barb (none)

Sheye

I found your blog today after speaking with some online friends about photography. I was reading and all the while new there was a deeper meaning to me finding your blog.

I read with a knot in my throat when I found 50 Reasons Why I Love Ava....19 struck a cord with me. "Iloveyousomuch" my daughter at the age of three (when she first started saying it) as well spoke those words to me they were the sweetest words that I had ever heard. Much the same to you. Watching or reading your strength motivates me in so many ways I cannot describe it.

I lack patience and understanding somedays when I get home to my three children. But after your post (yes I have been reading all day) about letting Ivy use your gloss as polish I will strive to live my life the way you have been forced to live yours cherishing every moment not being so frusturated and impatient to just being open and cherishing those moments when I would normally frown at my oldests behavior.

Your family is an inspiration to me with your loss of such a dear sweet child you are able to show people me included there is a way to live in your fond memories of sweet Ava. She's beautiful her pictures her spirit you speak of the memories absolutely beautiful.

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So very sad.  / Nicole Harris
Hi. I found Ava's memorial site through a link from your photographer blog. I have been moved to tears reading about your beautiful daughter and cannot imagine the pain you must have gone through. You sound like an amazing mummy and of course it was safe for Ava to wander between her own and her Grandpa's house. She only received love and happiness from you all. I hope that you have found some peace. Sending my thoughts...Nicole XXX Close

Much Love  / Sabina De Shazo

I am still moved to tears each time I visit this site. I first found the story of lovely little Ava about two years ago now (via belle and boo) but the memory of it and your tribute site has never left me.

Much love to you and your family.

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so sad  / Serin Bell (fellow time traveller )
how could you have known...such a small thing...a car door left unlocked...an assumption made with every bit of rational sense...of course she would be fine between her home and grandfathers.

The lives of small children are so precious and so vulnerable...it only takes a moment of taking your mind off them...so easy to do

Thank you for sharing the story you told and for sharing the lovely legacy of photographs you have left of your darling child

I am very very very sorry for your loss... Close

Princess in Pink.  / Inês Costa

Goodnight Dearest Ava's family My Name's Inês and Im 13. I found Ava's story 1 year ago more or less when I was watching videos on youtube and saw a video of a friend of mine where a beutifull little cute face appeared as the image of the video to select. "I have to click in it" I imedeately Though. I really had to. She was so beutifull. So beutifull. She had a beutifull loving face with big brown eyes and a perfect smile. Suddendly when I read her story I was in tears. Such a preventable accident and such a young angel Gone too soon. She had the perfect smile and I immedeately feel in love with her. Her name was Ava. what a soft and beutifull name. Ava was by far one of the most sweet Girls that could have ever born into this world. since then Ive maked couple of videos to Little Ava. But some weeks ago I started paying more attention to Ava's videos and tributes and seeing her pictures again and again. Ive went to Sheye's blog like 20 times in the last week and I read all the posts from when Ava was gone. Gosh It was not enough. I read her website over and over again. And It all started from nowhere. I really had to do something But what? . Ava was such a princess. I though about tributes but I cant do nothing very well done. "what about I name "AVA" to my 1st daughter?" I though.. It looked like a pretty Good idea so I went telling to my mother. "Ava is not a portuguese name and Im sure they wont let you call her that name". Here in my country Portugal we cant name our children Foreign names. But I though "we have this name "Eva" so "Ava" is almost alike.." and I know nobody will ever take me the opurtunnity to call Ava to my 1st daughter as a tribute to your little Darling. She touched so many and for sure she touched me too so deeply that words will never describe.

 

I LOVE YOU AVA !!

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So very sad for your loss  / Jennifer
I stumbled across your story through a blog I follow regularly & after reading your story & looking through some of your blog entries/pictures I was brought to tears more than once.  Words can not express the sadness I feel for you and your family after reading about the terrible loss of your beautiful daughter Ava.  I have an Ava too.  She is 17 months.  This is a story I won't ever forget.  My thoughts & prayers are with you & your family.  Close

what can a stranger really say  / Jessica Metcalf (a party hat and dress )
I am just sitting here in my powerless house in stormy Adelaide Australia checking facebook and I followed the link that my sister-in-law Leigh put up about Ivy's party hat and dress for Ava's birthday.  I had no idea what I was getting into.  I am so sorry for your tragedy.  Your daughter Ava was clearly amazing and the light of many lives.  My thoughts are with her and your family tonight.  I don't really know what else to say because what can a stranger really say about this.  Life is so precious and so fragile.

Love
Jess Close

your precious daughter  / Amanda
I lost my father at 18 to suicide. The pain was so deep. As I became a mother my biggest fear was to lose one of my children. It was almost torture. To know how painful losing my father was gave me a glimpse of a fraction of the pain to lose one of those sweet children. It opened my eyes to loss and the fact that things can be taken from you in the blink of an eye. It's something I never want to know and can't wrap my heart around. It doesn't seem possible. Yet I see people like my friend and like you. So humble so gracious so honest and truly special. You are an inspiration to how mothers should be I believe you are also an inspiration to mothers who have lost children. You make me feel more inspired about being a mother reading your blog and thoughts on all your children and especially Ava.

It literally breaks my heart to know that mothers go through losing children. It makes me long for their reunion. My heart hurts for you.

Thank you for sharing your story. When I celebrate my birthday this sunday (with a cake because my husband is obsessed with cakes for everyone!) I will smile and blow out my candle instead of saying it's silly because I want to make a wish for Ava and your family.

God bless you and hold you through life without your precious princess. Close

Cherishing every moment with our little princesses  / Jenny Barnard (Reader of your Blog )
Dear Little Ava
You remind me so much of my little three year old girl full of joy curious and full of energy.
Your determination and sweet personality certainly reminds me of my little Charlotte.
Sadly it was through an innocent playful act (that went terribly wrong) that your life was taken.

Know that your life touched many even strangers like myself!
Thank you for reminding me what is important in my life and for reminding me to appreciate every moment!

God Bless
Jenny Barnard Close

Too precious to be bound by this world  / Heather Lee
Sheye and family I was so moved by Ava's story.  Thank you for the beautiful message to relish each moment.  I will carry her story on in my life through the renewed dedication to my own girls. Close

Walking with God  / Karen Balel

Your tribute to Ava is so very touching and heartfelt that a person can't help but smile and cry at the same time.

 

I also lost my daughter and the anguish is unbearable.  It is has been 4 yrs for me and the only way I find comfort is thinking to myself "Ava is walking in Gods shadow now, being the angel that I knew she was"  He had a purpose in bringing her home just as he  knew you needed a little girl in that period of your life.  The joy and love she brought to your life can't be replaced, but will be forever in your mind and heart.  She will be walking in your shadow forever just as she is probably helping someone else even now.

 

I hope you come to the place that you find comfort and peace and I will think of you often just as I still think of my daughter.  No Mom should have to bury their child regardless of their age.  My daughter was 30 yrs old, killed by a drunk driver...To this day, regardless if it friend or family I talk to, I make sure I tell them how special they are to me, because you never know if you will have a chance to tell them again.

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My heart goes out to you  / Lisa Tilley (admirer of super princesses )

Until I had my own darling daughter, never could I fathom what loving a child was like.  Hearing your story has touched my heart.  I can not imagine what grief you have gone through... although each and every day you spent with Ava was a gift...many heartfelt thoughts to you and your family.  I know Ava will be in your heart forever.

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My Condolences  / Black Amber (non)
I came across your blog this evening and read about your daughter. Your photos and tribute for her are so touching and beautiful. Close

Heartbreaking... / Hazel
I'm so sorry to read you story of heartbreaking loss.  Ava was such a beautiful little girl.  I can't even imagine the unbearable grief you must have gone through, but I hope that keeping her memory alive, and that time are helping to heal the wounds, however slowly... Close

So sorry for your loss  / Kim G.
I know this is years too late but I only came across your wonderful Flickr site today and your amazing images.

You captured your beautiful Avas life perfectly in your imagery and you continue to do so today with your other children.
She was a beautiful angel taken too soon.

I think the most endearing image for me is the angel one where she is staring out of the window.

Having a 3 year old son and an 8 month old daughter I cherish every moment I have.

Much love

Kim Close

you had a beautiful daughter  / Shea Cornell

I am only 13 but the sadness that i feel for you can not be put into words. To have your daughter taken long before her time seems so unfair. I wish i could have met your little super-princess I am sure she would have brightened my day and made my life just that one little bit better. She reminds me so much of my little cousin, they even share the same name. Just by looking at your pictures of her I can see her love of live. How unfair it is that she had to be taken so soon. But we must remember every one was put on this earth for a reason and Ava just acomlpished hers much faster. Her reason to be put on the earth was to brighten every ones day. <3 <3

xoxoxoxo

-Shea 

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