Death is a daily occurrence, an inevitable end to the accepted "three score years and ten" model, a homecoming and part of the cycle of life. I haven't ever been totally devastated by any death in the family - my exposure has been limited to the passing on, naturally, of older family members and one member of my generation who succumbed to cancer with all it's inherent traits of pain, wasting, the inevitable death but also the opportunity to travel a path with the sufferer and to say farewell.

My thoughts on this have often turned to my children and grandson. What would I do if they became ill? Too ill to live another day? Too ill to put one foot in front of the other? Too ill to breathe? What would I do then? How would it feel? In my heart? That part of my body that houses their souls? Would it blacken with sorrow?

I remember the tiny babies I held in my arms, the babies I smiled at endlessly, drooled over endlessly, spent sleepless nights awake with - it seemed endlessly! - have now grown into amazing, confident, independent women. They are kind and generous and funny and wild. Just to wrap them in my arms sometimes, is enough for this soul.

And I return to my conversation with Muzzammil's mom tonight. In tears, heartbroken and totally at a loss. Her child is dying. A little human, a person she can wrap her arms around, whose soft skin she can touch, whose sweet babyness you can still smell - is going to cease to exist, to stop breathing and laughing and crying.

Their trek to Cape Town ended at the Red Cross Children's Hospital, only to be told that there is nothing they can do for him. What does that even mean? Is his condition inoperable? Apparently not. Is it because we don't have the skills in South Africa? I always thought we did. Is it the money then? Probably.

If 200 000 people donate $10 each, we'll have enough money to get Muzzammil to Boston Children's Hospital. If 100 000 people donate $20 each, we could get him there. If 40 000 people donate $50 each - we could get him there. Please consider supporting this cause. Donate here: https://assets.gogetfunding.com/muzammils-heart-surgery/

Muzammil is a little boy who is just 2 and a half years old. He is suffering from Heterotaxy Syndrome. It is a Rare Birth Defect which causes the internal organs to be abnormally arranged. He is not growing because his heart is enlarged and it uses all his energy. He needs multiple Heart Operations.