Children and Loss.

This morning my son came downstairs, sobbing.

He had just been in virtual school, I had no clue what could have happened.

What, what? I questioned.

We were reading a book about a nursing home, and the room they entered was Nanie's room number he wailed. I motioned for him to come to me so I could give him a bear hug. He is nearly my size at only 11, his body was shaking but I held him, hard.

I miss her so much he repeated over and over as he howled, his body shivering.

Oh sweetheart, I said, we all do.

He said he started crying in front of his virtual book club and was so embarrassed. Inside, my heart was breaking.

In the midst of everything, sometimes I forget my children are mourning. These poor little people who have been subjected to so much, are pent up with their own feelings during all of this awfulness.

My son is an old soul. He is wise, and he is so caring. He feels deeply.

In fact, in the middle of his tears, he squeaked out I am so sorry to make YOU so sad when he felt my own tears wetting his cheeks.

Oh no sweetheart, we are allowed to be sad, its ok. My new mantra.

Yes I am taking care of the kids, but this reminded me to take care of their fragile feelings, because they are there.

Sometimes we view kids as so resilient we forget inside, deep down, they have feelings.

I am glad he read that book today, because I needed to be reminded.

Thank you L.

I love you, so very much.