In February 2009 Jeff Hutchings received a phone call from a mother who had just lost her son to a brief and sudden illness. The death was a shock to all who knew this special boy, including his second family at the Newfoundland and Labrador Down Syndrome Society.

On the phone the mother told Jeff about some fond memories she had of her son, especially how he loved the light because he could play with all the shadows. Jeff talked for awhile with the mother about these “shadow puppets,” and that night, as he was putting his own child to bed, he thought about this special little boy and his shadow puppets, and sat down and wrote this poem. The words in this poem truly are a gift from one friend to another and have brought comfort to a grieving family.

Shadow Puppets in Heaven is a tribute to all children who have left this world too early. It is a tribute to all special needs children whose innocence and bright eyes remind us every day of the simple pleasures in life and to not take one day for granted. We hope this project will console other families who are touched by the loss of a child.