Heather

In the midst of everything, it warmed my heart to see a steady stream of Alex's classmates visiting him at the hospital. They came bring him different gifts, some bring fruits, snacks, silly cards covered in inside jokes and well wishes.

It was clear these kids cared deeply about my boy. Their bright spirits lifted the gloomy atmosphere for a while when they crowded around his bed chatting and joking as if he might open his eyes and join in at any moment.

"Mrs Heather, we all miss Alex, and we're all signing this big banner for when Alex wakes up," a curly-haired girl told me excitedly. "That way...