By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — In their brief lives, Addison and Emma Surine shared a lot of love and touched many hearts.

Their story will continue to encourage and inspire people, thanks to a new book published by their grandmother.

Cheryl Black of Davidson is the author of “Two Little Fairies,” a picture book inspired by her twin granddaughters.

Addison and Emma were born Feb. 2, 2015, to Cheryl’s son Dan Surine and his wife Melissa.

Within a few months, both girls had been diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a genetic disease that affects muscles throughout the body.

The girls were soon accepted to take part in a trial for a new drug. The family moved from Saskatoon to British Columbia temporarily, and family, friends and others raised thousands of dollars to help them.

But the girls’ health continued to decline over the following months.

Emma died in her sleep on Dec. 25, 2015. About a month later, Addison’s parents took her along on a walk on her birthday, and by the time they came home she had passed away.

Black said the idea for the story came to her almost instantly. She published the book, her first, late last year.

“That was just a huge calling once the girls left,” she said. “I didn’t have any choice but to do that.”

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