Starting a family is a life-changing decision that many parents approach with immense care and consideration. The responsibility of nurturing a child is both an incredible privilege and an overwhelming challenge. When parents invest so much of their hearts and souls into raising their children, the prospect of losing a young life is an unimaginable pain. This is the heart-wrenching reality that one family in Brisbane, Australia, came to face unexpectedly.
Krystal and Steven Edwards were a young couple living in Brisbane, Australia, full of anticipation and excitement for the future. They were preparing to expand their family, expecting the arrival of their second child. The joy of welcoming a new member into their home was something they had looked forward to, especially for their first-born daughter, Ruby, who was just 23 months old. Ruby, with her effervescent personality, was eagerly awaiting the opportunity to become a big sister.
The family’s excitement, however, would soon take an unexpected turn. Ruby began to feel unwell, and her concerned parents quickly sought medical attention for their little girl. To their shock, Ruby tested positive for COVID-19. This diagnosis was unexpected for many reasons—children, especially those as young as Ruby, were not widely believed to be at high risk for severe cases of the virus. So, the Edwards family held onto hope, believing that Ruby would recover swiftly, like so many other young children who had contracted the virus.
However, their hopes were soon shattered. Ruby’s condition rapidly worsened, and the Edwards family learned that she had developed a rare and severe autoimmune response. The virus had triggered her immune system to attack her own body, leading to a rapid decline in her health. For her parents, watching their vibrant daughter’s condition deteriorate in front of them was nothing short of devastating. In a matter of days, Ruby’s condition went from bad to worse, and the young family was left in a state of disbelief.
Ruby was admitted to the hospital, where doctors worked tirelessly to try and treat her. Despite their best efforts, her tiny body could not withstand the damage done by her immune system. After a few days of treatment, Ruby passed away, leaving her parents heartbroken and in shock. Her passing on July 22, 2022, was just two weeks before what would have been her second birthday, a milestone she would never reach.
In their grief, Krystal and Steven took to social media to share the news of their tragic loss with their community. In a heartfelt post, they expressed their belief that Ruby had passed peacefully. “Thanks to her treatment, we don’t believe she suffered any pain during her fight and was able to leave this world peacefully,” the couple shared, trying to find solace amidst their immense sorrow. For them, it was important that others understood their daughter’s passing was not a painful one, despite the anguish they were feeling.
Ruby’s death marked a heartbreaking milestone—it made her the youngest person in Queensland to lose their life to COVID-19. For Krystal and Steven, the world that had once seemed so full of promise was now an overwhelming place of grief. The anticipation of expanding their family had turned into an unimaginable sorrow. “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,” they expressed in their statement.
In the midst of their mourning, Krystal and Steven had to face another emotional challenge. Just days after Ruby’s death, the couple welcomed their son into the world on July 29, 2022. The birth of their baby boy, while a joyful occasion, was overshadowed by the painful absence of their beloved Ruby. They had never imagined that their family’s new arrival would come with the shadow of such a profound loss. Steven, in a moment of raw emotion, posted on social media, urging other parents to cherish their children. “If you have children of your own, please hug them a little bit tighter tonight,” he shared.
Though grief struck them in waves, Krystal and Steven tried to stay strong for their new son and each other. For Steven, the loss of Ruby, compounded by his own battle with COVID-19, was a toll that had taken a heavy emotional and physical toll on him. Despite the pain, he expressed his desire to heal, both for himself and his family. “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,” he shared, holding onto the hope that healing would come with time.
In an effort to help with the unexpected costs that arose from Ruby’s illness and passing, a family friend set up a fundraising page for the Edwards family. The generosity of friends, family, and even strangers provided a sense of relief during an incredibly difficult time. The funds raised were a testament to the love and support surrounding the family as they navigated through their grief. Krystal and Steven believed that Ruby, in some way, was looking out for them from beyond. In a message announcing the birth of their son, Steven expressed the comfort they found in the belief that Ruby’s spirit was watching over them. “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,” he said.
The Edwards family’s story is one of love, loss, and hope in the face of unimaginable heartache. While they will forever mourn the loss of their precious Ruby, they are trying to hold onto the belief that love will guide them through the darkest of days. Their journey is one of resilience, and though it may never fully heal, they continue to move forward, cherishing the memories of their beautiful daughter while embracing the new life that has come into their world.