In our hearts

I recently received an email from my step mom (she has been a lot of my blogs lately) that let me know that her dog had died.  This is not a childhood dog for me -- or he would have been really old -- but he had a special spot in her heart.  And more importantly he had a special place in Ladybug's heart.  I had learned my lesson from the last time I tried to tell Ladybug about a death of a pet --- see here -- so I decided to be more thoughtful about how I told her about the dog.  I would not do this in the middle of a grocery store this time.

When she got up from her nap (something that I rarely manage to get her to do these days but I love it when I pull it off), I sat her on my lap and told her that I had some sad news for her.

Ladybug:  What?
Me: I got an email from Grandma while you were sleeping.  And she told me that Curly died last night.
Ladybug: It's okay Mama.
Me:  (A little surprised she is taking it so well).  I just thought you should know.
Ladybug: Well, he will always be in our hearts.
Me: True.
Ladybug:  So we don't need to be sad.  How did he die.
Me: He was just old.  And his body decided it could not work anymore.
Ladybug:  That happens.
Me: Yes it does.
Ladybug:  I am a little sad that I won't be able to pet him anymore but I know he will always be with me so I am not going to cry.

No wailing.  No crying.  No exclaiming that a member of her family was dead.  Just a very grown up approach to the cycle of life.

Mean Mama