"Man sleeping Mommy"

How do you explain death to a 2 year old?

We were at the funeral on Friday (husband of a dear older lady at church). We didn't necessarily need to have one last look at dear J, but we did need to greet his widow, give her a hug, make sure she knew we were there, let the kids smile at her and give her hugs. These things were important.

I knew that I had no idea what to tell Tornado about the lifeless body in the fancy box at the front. I thought about it and nothing came... so I said nothing.

We weren't even at the front yet when Tornado spied him from half way across the room where we were standing in line. "Man sleeping Mommy," he said.

In the next couple seconds I thought of all the things I could say to him. He's dead, Sweety. J is in heaven now with God. No, my very literal 2 year old would struggle with him being in heaven when he is definitely *right there*. Nope... this is definitely not the age and day to delve into doctrine and death with my little guy.

I smiled, chuckled right along with My Beloved and the couple people standing around us and said, "yeah, that's right."

He said it a number of times between that spot in line and the front (next to his family). I wonder if that is why he wanted to lay down on the chairs during the service. And I thought he was just tired. Hmmm... I wonder.

Labels: As it happens..., Have to Laugh, Raising Children

posted by ~Babychaser~ @ 10:18 PM