The Best of Friends

"How do you explain death to a three-year-old?"  This question is one that Damon and I have been grappling with since November, and thankfully we had wonderful resources to guide us through these discussions.  Alexa has far-surpassed our expectations with her understanding of this concept, and she oftentimes says the most poignant and beautiful things.

As we left swimming yesterday with her mylar pink and purple balloons, Alexa loosened the pink one from her wrist, and up into the air it went.  I held my breath, expecting a complete meltdown in the swim school parking lot, but quite the opposite happened.  She said, "My balloon's up in heaven now so Granty can play with it."  Wow - - instead it was my tears, not hers, in the parking lot.

Tonight Jenny (BFF Gabriella's mom) texted me because Gabriella was talking to her and said, "I miss Granty.  He's in heaven, and I can't see him any more."  As soon as I read that, I knew Alexa must have said that to Gabriella today because the statement was verbatim what Alexa's told me numerous times.  As sorry as I was that poor Gabriella has also been exposed to a concept well-beyond her years, it brought a smile to my face to know that Alexa has such a wonderful friendship in her life.  I can picture Alexa talking about her feelings with her BFF, and sweet Gabriella comforting her in a way only a three-year-old can.  These girls really are like sisters.  I hope the rest of their conversations today had a little more levity in their context....

The BFF's with matching giraffe ice cream bowls.
(leftover party supplies - - they both wanted Elmo with the giraffe :)