the sting of death for little minds

Death oh how terrible it can be to those left living, especially for the youngest of minds. Grownup we tend to make light of it when it comes to animals and unknown people. We shrug and accept that the world we live in is a sad, harsh place. In 2007 my oldest son then 7 lost his grandmother and his horse. This was a devastating time for him and it is still recalled regularly. Of all my children I just knew he would be the one who took it the hardest. I mean he does feed them and water them every morning without being asked. How was I to know this would be the wrong assumption?!
The time is approx 10:37 am and I hear the beep of my phone. Expecting some nonsense from my husband about his 2nd job I glance at the screen. Shock covers my face and I cover my mouth like people do when suprised. Why is that the first reaction? Anyway, I see a 2nd text from my mother saying the same (who of course noticed a chicken was losing weight...sure). Before making my way home with niece and nephew (half day for conferences) I get more information that "the queen" has insisted they check to see if it still sleeping several times throughout the morning. On the drive home I make a plan of distraction by cousins while I remove the body. These are the times when I have to "man up" and do what I truly prefer not doing ie remove a snake from the garage, change a tire, or dispose of a chicken body. The girly in me wants to say ew ew ew ew and run away shrieking. Nephew "mans up" himself and niece wanted to see it but resolves to by into the distraction element. While doing so I am pretty sure it is the biggest of chickens which would narrow it down to my eldest son's. I prayed I was wrong on my hunch but decide that saying it is the other son who never even named the chicken seemed the best plan when undecisive.
WRONG move is all I can say! Ya know this son is in fact 7 so maybe the connection is more with the age than all things. He is young enough to believe the best in life and hasn't really been let down thus far. The tears that welled up in his eyes and the sadness that slowly spread was harder than many things I have seen lately. Oh, how I would have just left it with the unknown for them to have hope overnight. *sigh* #1 well he asked a million questions about how shiny it was or wasn't and the specifics of the tail. I am certain he will be able to tell the difference. How could I not know competitive man of detail wouldn't know his chicken through and through. Tomorrow is another day and phase two will begin on the death of a chicken.
The good news is that #3 was encouraged about replacing the chicken. #1 he would never forget bringing up the lost in connection with all things poultry, #3 he may just roll right on. Daddy offered to go on a chicken kidnapping at a friends nearby putting him over the fence and making a fast getaway with a new feathered friend. I love how he can pull off that kind of switch with kids and they smile through the moment. It probably didn't help that #3 had a migraine tonight too.



Snuggled in bed we all prayed for no more chickens to die, be it a fluke or parasite. Hearing their sweet prayers lifted to heaven warms my heart and breaks it. We sure do live in a sad circle of life. Goodnight sweet bossy chicken. I hope in heaven you lay some beautiful eggs :)

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