29 January 2012

Death

A morbid topic for a little child, but what with Betta's (our pet fish) and our hamster's death, it was a topic not to be avoided for long.

P explained that he was in his naggy mode a few weeks back, and was telling Christian that he needs to learn how to read cos "One day, when Mama and Daddy are no longer around, you'll need to know how to read the menu and order food.." (he was trying to motivate Ch by appealing to his weakness - food)

Christian immediately asked why we wouldn't be around.. are we going to die?

And so the topic of death popped up now and then.. and he would ask.. 'are you going to die soon? Ida will still be around right?' Christian did not look extremely disturbed when he asked the questions, but his repetition revealed that he was most probably disturbed indeed.

We went to Keppel Bay Marina last evening for a walk and dinner. It made such an impression on him that he talked about the marina before he slept, commenting that he did not see any fish before proclaiming that fish only lived in ponds. When i corrected him and reminded him that fish live in rivers, streams, oceans and even aquariums like in our neighbour's house. He asked why we don't have fish and I reminded him of Betta. He asked why Betta died; if we could buy another fish, and I replied that it wouldn't be the same. I gave him some vague reply that God made us, we are meant to stay on earth for a while, then go to God's house.

That was when he blurted "i don't want mama daddy to die. Wait mama daddy die then Christian cannot find mama and daddy. I'll look for mama daddy *turns head left right, left right* then 'Huh?' 'Where?'"

I thought it was so cute that he enacted his imagined loss, though i quickly reassured that we will be with him for a looong time (hopefully), at least until he's grown up and until we are as old as his grandparents.

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