"What about children dying of cancer before they learnt to walk"- thanks for the question, Andy. I can't presume to know or understand the mind of God, or His ways. But there is such a thing as "vicarious" suffering. All human suffering, however excruciating, and however agonising, is always only temporary, and suffering and illness is something almost all of us will experience to a greater or lesser degree in our lifetimes. I have friends who have buried their young children; car accidents, heart defects, cot deaths etc. The child themself is of course freed from all suffering at the point of death, but the way the tragedy is felt in the family and in the community can bring about a depth of feeling and bring people together in a way that nothing else could have accomplished. In every tragedy, the very best qualities of people are brought out, and the example of the person or persons who have passed is given meaning, reflected on, and used to inspire others to live our life better and to realise how precious the gift of life is. I hope this helps, Andy.