Edison Ruef and his baby brother, Donovan, in 2010. Edison died at age 6 on July 9, 2011.
Jennifer Ruef/CNN iReport
Edison was born prematurely and spent the first eight months of his life in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Jennifer Ruef/CNN iReport
The family didn't know what the future held for Edison, but he thrived as a toddler.
Jennifer Ruef/CNN iReport
Edison was excited to become a big brother in 2009. "I remember how proud Edison was. How protective," his mother, Jennifer Ruef, said. "There was not a hint of jealousy."
Jennifer Ruef/CNN iReport
The summer before he was to begin kindergarten, Edison collapsed and died. Doctors later determined he had late-stage pulmonary hypertension.
Jennifer Ruef/CNN iReport
Ruef says looking at photos of her two boys together makes her heart smile and break at the same time. Edison was 6 here, and Donovan was 2. Edison was known for giving the thumbs-up sign and often saying the day had been "the best day ever." "It makes me ache for Donovan and the bond I know they would have had," Ruef says.
Jennifer Ruef/CNN iReport
A poignant moment: When Donovan, 5, outgrew his brother's hand-me-down jeans. "The legs told two sides of the story. Rough-and-tumble Donovan, and quiet, contemplative Edison."
Jennifer Ruef/CNN iReport
"When I watch Donovan outside playing by himself, or when we go on vacation, I can't help but feel so sad for him and the brother he never really knew, "Jennifer Ruef says. "We talk about Edison all of the time, and he is still very much a part of our family, but it is not the same."
