Some days are BAM days, you think everything is fine and suddenly....

..you will whiff a scent that reminds you of your loved one..

..see a blond haired child amongst the crowded shopping centre..

..you pick up a book that has a letter tucked inside that your child gave to you and you dismissed because you were to busy..

you hear a song that your child used to sing over and over and over and over and you told your her to quit singing that annoying song

Days like this are our bam days,

We have good days, bad days and BAM days....

Toni was our second daughter. She was born after a one and a half hour labour. She had a head full of blonde hair, but not quite as blonde as her big sister Shannen. She had the most amazing dimples from the time she was born. She was eager to enter this world as quickly as possible and when she did, she made the most of everything.

She walked when she was 9 months old. People never beleived me, until Stephanie (my last child) walked at the same age. Although to say she walked is a bit of an understatement. Toni Ran. It was like she knew she knew she had to fit so much into a short period of time. When she ran, she didn't do it delicately and sweet either. She ran like an elephant.

She was the most happy, energetic child. She always made you laugh.When we told her she was going to be a big sister, she was so excited. We didn't realize how long 9 months was to a 3 year old. She would get into the bath with me and kiss the baby (my tummy) and laugh as the baby would kick the soap off my tummy. She was so happy when her new brother arrived. It had taken so long to get him here. She would pick out the outfit he would wear the next day before she went to home to bed. When I was in the hospital she would run down the hallway and all the nursing staff would laugh.

Toni and Shannen had caught the chicken Pox two weeks before their baby brother was due and when he was born they still had a few pox marks on their faces. One particular nurse was a bit nasty about them being near their newborn baby brother, but I told her it was their baby brother too.

Toni and her sister Shannen were best friends. They would sing and dance and Toni was like Shannen's shadow. The slept about 2 metres apart and up until Shannen started school they had spent their entire life together. They were as close as you always want your children to be.

Toni was a constant audience member at the Sapphire Dance Academy. Her Auntie Hailey and Auntie Cindy attended dance lessons twice a week. She would stay with her nanny while I worked and attend their after school activities. After Toni passed away Meryl (now owner of StarZ Academy, Bomaderry), sponsored a Trophy for the Nowra Stage and Dance Festival in Honour of Toni.

"The Toni Perry Memorial Trophy for the most promising baby."

It is such an honour to present the trophy every year.

Toni died as a result of an accident in which she was a back seat passenger in Bomaderry. 200 metres from our home. The adult seat belt she was wearing caused the chest injuries that took her tiny life away. Her memory will always live on in many, many hearts of those who knew her, and many who didn't know her.

If I can help save just one family,the heartbreak we went through and go through every single day then the pain of raising awareness of child passenger safety will be worth it.

Parents need to be aware of the benefits of having their children suitably restrained according to their age and weight.

We love you and miss you so much it hurts and we think of you every single day. Please light a candle for Toni before you leave so I know you have visited.

Take a minute to check out Belle's Gift