"Who will go to the pool with us this summer?"
"Daddy"
"yes, daddy. who else?"
"uncle billy"
"well, Uncle Billy won't be able to go." I was completely shocked she said this.
"Papa and GRANDMA"
"yes, papa and grandma"
"and Uncle Billy"
"Uncle Billy would like to go, but he can't".
"Where is Uncle Billy, mommy?"
"Uncle Billy went to go live with Jesus, babe".
She looked confused, and I could tell she didn't know what else to say. She wanted to ask more questions, but maybe she could sense my overwhelming sadness or maybe she just didn't have the words.
The thing that makes me so sad is that I know he would love her so much. He would think she was the greatest thing since sliced cheese (because really cheese is more difficult to slice than bread). I think he would be so proud to know how much she looks like him. He would also be proud to know the name of my new son.
So we escaped this one. I don't want to explain death to a 2 year old. It is too hard. She needs to enjoy her life before she realizes that it won't last forever.
2 comments:
Yes that is a hard concept to enplane to a little one. It is specially sad that she will always remember Billy as being dead. My Father's dad died while I was younger than Peanut, I have seen pictures and even heard stories, but I always think of him as someone who has always been dead.
Maybe to focus on the goodness that her Uncle Billy was in life...and to save the explanation of death for a time when she can better understand. Thinking good thoughts for you one this one...
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