1-Year-Old Girl Awaits Her Brother's Birth, Dies Just Days before Seeing Him

Just a few days before a family would welcome their second child, life shocked them with something unexpected. Before they could hold their little son in their arms, they had to say goodbye to their almost-two-year-old daughter.

Children are a source of happiness for most parents. Whenever they look at their little ones, they forget the worries of their lives and focus on the precious moments they spend together.

Having a child is what many people dream of, and the thought of losing their little one scares them to the core. The couple in today's story saw this nightmare come to life when they learned their daughter was no more.

THE LIFE-CHANGING DIAGNOSIS

Krystal and Steven Edwards from Brisbane, Australia, were all set to welcome their second baby when they discovered something shocking. It all started when their 23-month-old daughter, Ruby, suddenly became unwell.

When they took her to the doctor, they discovered their little bundle of joy had contracted Covid. The worried parents couldn't believe Ruby had Covid at such a young age, but they were hopeful she would recover soon.

Unfortunately, things took a different turn soon after Ruby got the virus. Because of a rare autoimmune condition, where her immune system attacked her body alongside fighting the virus, her health condition deteriorated. Krystal and Steven weren't prepared for what happened next.

THE UNFORGETTABLE TRAGEDY

The girl with "the most beautiful long eyelashes, infectious smile, and stunning hair color," as described by her parents, spent days at the hospital as the doctors tried their best to treat her condition.

On July 22, 2022, Ruby passed away just two weeks before her birthday, leaving her parents in shock. Steven wrote a Facebook post to announce the sad news, where he said:

"Thanks to her treatment, we don't believe she suffered any pain during her fight and was able to leave this world peacefully."

THE BROKEN FAMILY

Ruby's unexpected demise made her the youngest person to pass away from Covid in Queensland. The news of her sudden death took a toll on Krystal and Steven, who were preparing to welcome their second baby into this world. Steven said:

"It feels like the world is falling apart for us right now."

"This is supposed to be such a happy time where our family would become complete but is now so broken," Steven added. In his Facebook post, he asked people to support them and be kind. He wanted people to remember his daughter as the little girl who had filled their lives with joy.

A DIFFICULT SITUATION

It wasn't easy for Krystal and Steven to welcome their baby boy after losing their two-year-old girl, who was waiting to become an elder sister. The couple had no idea Ruby would leave this world a few days before her baby brother came into this world. While thinking about his daughter, Steven said:

"If you have children of your own, please hug them a little bit tighter tonight."

Dealing with the grief of losing their baby girl was something Krystal and Steven weren't familiar with. The couple understood that they had to be strong to welcome their son, but they also knew there would be times when they would break down thinking about their daughter.

THE UNIMAGINABLE PAIN

"We need to accept that it is OK to not be strong at times and reach out for help, something I am not normally accustomed to doing," Steven revealed.

The couple said they needed their friends and family's support to get through this challenging phase of their lives. They also apologized in advance if they ever pushed people when they needed some time alone to deal with their unimaginable grief.

At the end of his Facebook post, Steven revealed that he also had Covid and hadn't slept properly for days. He hoped that his suffering would soon end and that there would be a point where he would feel hopeful and happy. He added:

"I want to get there so desperately. I want to shield our son from this. I want him to only know of love and joy."

THEIR SECOND BABY

The couple's family friend, Sarah Watton, set up a GoFundMe page to help Krystal and Steven, who were going through the worst phase of their lives. She described Ruby as a "loving, caring little girl, always smiling."

On July 29, 2022, Steven wrote another Facebook post where he shared the news of his son's birth. He thanked those who had donated to the fundraiser and those who supported him during the past few days. He added:

"We're just in awe of him and know his big sister Ruby is watching over us as he was safely guided into this world."

Our thoughts and prayers are with Krystal and Steven, who are dealing with the painful loss of their daughter, Ruby, while trying their best to stay strong for their newborn son.

Click here to read another story about a 9-year-old boy who tragically became an orphan after losing his parents and sister in the Iowa campground shooting.