I would always say she was like my mom to me.  I spent every weekend with her at her house… is how I remember my time with her.  It was like an escape from my home to be with her.

One day when I was maybe when I was 11 or 12, I was at her house for a sleepover and she drew the bath water for me.   I remember her coughing a lot.   I don’t know how long after that, as that was the last time I saw her alive….

Zero support in grieving was my experience as a child.   I personally think it is important for children to be part of the dying/death experience in any way that they feel comfortable.   I love the stories... about including children in the rituals and caring for the body of a loved one.  To make death a part of life, is so important.  Not everyone feels comfortable talking about death with kids.  I know it can be awkward, but I do try to answer my granchildren’s questions when they ask about dying animals for example.

Recently my grandkids when to a funeral of their great grandmother.  There were 4 kids there and all the rest of the people were generally a lot older as the woman as in her late 80’s.  At the funeral home, the kids were running around and playing the whole time and the elder folks loved the kids just being allowed to do their thing at the funeral home!  I was thrilled to hear that story!

Anything that makes death seem normal is wonderful!  Who knows, maybe if we teach them young, they will have less fear when it is their turn to personally deal with death on some level.

June, 2024 Andrea Trimble By My Own Heart and Hand Student