Did David Die?

Just when I think all the kids are asleep in bed, I jump into the bath tub for 'me time'.  5 minutes into the soak, the door cracks open.  It's Makayla.  I invite her in.

She sits down next to the tub, asks me if my water is hot and if it feels good, and begins lotioning her arms and legs.

She talks for a little bit and I listen. 

She tells me that she thinks she got bit by a fly today on her leg but isn't sure how that would have happened since she was wearing tights.

(yes, only my daughter would wear tights on a 90 degree day and fit into a 12 month size bumble bee costume)

After several minutes of her talking about her fly bite, she decides to go deep.

Real deep.

Out of the blue, she asks me if David died.

She is referring to my Uncle Dave who died two years ago around Christmas.  To read more about that, you can read these two blog entries.

Ecclesiastes 3

The Next Place

This is how our conversation went:

Makayla - Did David die?

(i love how she calls him david)

Me - My Uncle Dave?

Makayla - Ya, the one who gave me that squirrel.
(he gave Mason and Makayla Rocky and Bullwinkle stuffed animals and how she remembers that, i have no idea!)

Me - Yes, he did die.

Makayla - Why?

Me - I don't know, honey.  God has a plan for everybody.

Makayla - Did he have a big belly?

Me - Yes, he did.

Makayla - Is that why he died?

Me - No, I don't think so.

Makayla - Daddy has a big belly (nodding). When is daddy going to die? 

Me - Oooh, not for a long time.  Daddy will probably be a grandpa to your babies before he dies. 

But, honey, people don't die because they have a big belly.  

(not wanting her to think that every person she sees with a bigger belly is going to die)

 Wouldn't you miss daddy if he died?

Makayla - Would you?

Me - Yes, I would miss him very much.

Makayla - When will you die?

Me - I don't know.  Would you miss me?

Makayla - Yes!  (wide eyed) But I would have to be the boss and daddy wouldn't listen to me ever!  I can't wait to be the boss.

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Thank goodness she changed the subject after that last sentence....asking me if it hurts when I shave my legs.

Out of that whole conversation, two things amaze me -

1.  That she remembers my Uncle Dave the way she does.

2.  That she somehow associates big bellies with being a cause of death.

It's conversations like this that I try oh so carefully to choose my words correctly and appropriately.