Watching three-year-old Mason Macdonald playing happily with his toys, it is hard to imagine the trauma the little boy went through this year.
But thanks to the huge amount of love and support he has received from his doting grandparents, Mason has apparently bounced back from something no child should ever have to endure.
In June Mason’s adored mum, Lydia Macdonald, died from an asthma attack. She was alone at home in Perth with Mason at the time. Her little boy then stayed with her body until she was discovered by a friend several days later.
No one knows exactly how long Mason remained with Lydia’s body but what is known is that her parents last spoke to her on a Friday. She and Mason were not found until the following Wednesday.
Mason’s grandad Ron Macdonald said: “Initially we thought Lydia had died only a couple of days before she and Mason were found, but now we think it may have been longer.”
Sitting in the comfortable home he and his wife Linda now share with Mason, the couple spoke of their efforts to make sure the youngster has a happy, secure childhood. Sadly, when Mason was only eight months old, his dad, Bobby, also died in tragic circumstances.
Ron, 67 and Linda, 58, who are seeking full legal guardianship of Mason, want to show how well he is doing and highlight how dangerous asthma can be.
Linda said: “We will never really know what Mason endured when he was alone with Lydia but he has spoken a little bit to us about that time.
“He tells us that he sat playing with his computer beside Lydia while she was sleeping. We don’t know what happened during those days but we try to encourage him to talk to us about it as much as possible.”
Lydia, who was originally from Dundee, is spoken about all the time in the family home. Linda said: “We feel that’s the best way to deal with things, to be as open with him as possible.
“He said his mummy has gone to heaven to be with daddy and that they are stars shining brightly in the sky watching over him.”
Linda and Ron said they are completely devastated by Lydia’s death and if it wasn’t for Mason, they don’t know how they would be coping. “It’s for him and for Lydia that we keep going. Having to care for and look after him has got us through this,” Linda said.
Linda and Ron are now working hard to support charities carrying out research in to asthma.
The couple have planned a party Perty In The Toon in Lydia’s memory. It will be held in Perth’s Salutation Hotel on November 6 and all the money raised will go to the Lydia Macdonald Tribute Fund for Asthma UK.
“We hope as many people as possible will come along and support us,” Ron said.
For details visit the website lydia-macdonald.muchloved.com.