Sofia and Ely, mortality and a surprise

Last Saturday night was a relaxed night at home.  Daddy was watching football in the basement, I was organizing, Samantha was reading and playing in her room.  Sofia was also playing in her room with Ely sleeping on her bed.  Suddenly Sofia came to me looking very sad and with tears rolling down her face.  She told me that Ely wouldn't open his eyes and bit her lip, unable to say the words, "I think he's dead".  Sofia had tried to open Ely's eyes and since the dog sleeps so hard, he just stayed asleep in spite of her messing with him.

We ended up talking about Fonzie and how everyone eventually dies, but that Ely probably won't pass any time soon.  I shared that it's okay to miss those that have died and that it's good to remember them.  We talk about Great-Grandpa Irving, Fonzie and my dad.  We also talked about being kind while we are alive and that we are lucky to have so many people who love us and the time we get to spend with them.

I've always been honest with my kids, probably due to the effects of losing my dad as a young adult. Life is short and fragile, so I continually choose to make the most of the time I have.  There is no guarantee of tomorrow, but to be honest it made me sad and proud to have Sofia come to me so concerned about our dog.  Sad because it's a hard truth to face and proud because she wasn't fighting it - she was feeling grief.   Hopefully we will be around a long time for more fun and more conversations.  For now, we are just grateful for today.


On another note, I noticed something missing from Sofia as I was helping her brush her teeth.  She lost a tooth without even realizing it and this is the result!