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| William with his favourite book, Bambi ~ 2 yo |
Below is a conversation we had one evening when he was 4 years old
William: Why can’t the fish live in warm water?
Me: Remember when we’ve been to the ocean, in Mexico and Florida
William: Yeah
Me: And how was the water?
William: Cold
Me: The fish comes from that water and he’s used to cold
water. What do you think it will happen if we put him in hot water?
William: He gets sick and dies
Me: Yup
A short pause... thinking (you can hear the wheels turning, I swear)
William: Mommy, all things die?
Me: All living things die, yes
William: All animals and people die?
Me [unsure where this will go]: Err… yes…
William: And they die because they get sick?
Me: Sometimes; sometimes they die because they get old
William: Will Ferdi [our dog at the time] die?
Me: When his time comes he will die, yes
William: And where do animals and people go when they die?
Me: They all go to Heaven
William: And how do they get to Heaven?
Me: … [speechless, I really don’t know how to answer
this]
William [happy]: Mommy, I know!
Me: OK – what’s the answer?
William [in a conspirator's whisper]: It’s a SECRET!
Me: Yeah, that’s it, it’s a secret…
William: I think Father Lucian knows the answer
Me: Yes, I think he knows…
William: We should go and ask him!
Me: Definitely
Alicia, I love your stories about William! How beautiful is the open, questing heart of a child... so few of us can keep that attitude of wonder and awe, as we leave our childhood and face the trials of this world. Such a powerful memory for you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Monique :) Indeed, to see the world through the eyes of a child is a blessing. And to keep part of that innocence is an art I hope he'll discover when he becomes an adult! I learned a lot from him...
DeleteProfound and sweet. Wished I knew the SECRET.
ReplyDeleteThat's so sweet! I love the clarity of thought of the little ones!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sharyl!
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