We buried Dorothy last night, after dinner. Travis dug a nice hole in the backyard, we placed her in a small box with some tissue and wrote her name and the dates of her life on it. Bryce kissed her goodbye, through tears, and told her he loved her. It was so hard to watch his grief. As we buried her, he knelt down by the hole and kept putting his hands together to pray, asking God to make her better so she could go back into her tank. I don't think I have cried that hard in a very long time. Travis was pretty affected, too. As I was trying to console Bryce, I kept hearing his soft sobs behind me. I think we were more affected by Bryce's grief than the loss of our dear pet.
He is still having a hard time with her loss. He woke this morning and went straight to her tank to see if she was there. He then asked to go get her out of the backyard so we could put her back. I am having a heck of a time explaining that she is gone. He just does not understand what dead means and that she will not be coming back to swim with her friend. He is also pretty angry with his brother. He keeps telling Brady that it is his fault Dorothy was sick. I have explained over and over that Brady doesn't know any better, he was so curious and loved Dorothy too, and he did not mean to hurt her. Brady has been giving Bryce lots of hugs today, as if to say he is sorry. I think it has helped, because, after lunch, he told Brady "it's ok. It was an accident Dorothy got sick and died." I am hoping he has forgiven his brother, as I would hate for that resentment to linger.
We are off to the Butterfly park this afternoon for a play date with some friends. The boys are excited to get outside to play, and they love the Butterfly Park. The last time we met for a play date with this particular friend, they were worn out. The 4 boys are all the same ages (well, the 2 oldest are 4 and the 2 youngest are 2), so I think that helps, that they are on the same levels and have someone to relate to. I am hoping this afternoon does the same for wearing them out, as they have gotten their sleep schedule screwy again, and I need them to get back on track. Staying up all night while they take turns waking up and then falling back to sleep is exhausting!!
He is still having a hard time with her loss. He woke this morning and went straight to her tank to see if she was there. He then asked to go get her out of the backyard so we could put her back. I am having a heck of a time explaining that she is gone. He just does not understand what dead means and that she will not be coming back to swim with her friend. He is also pretty angry with his brother. He keeps telling Brady that it is his fault Dorothy was sick. I have explained over and over that Brady doesn't know any better, he was so curious and loved Dorothy too, and he did not mean to hurt her. Brady has been giving Bryce lots of hugs today, as if to say he is sorry. I think it has helped, because, after lunch, he told Brady "it's ok. It was an accident Dorothy got sick and died." I am hoping he has forgiven his brother, as I would hate for that resentment to linger.
We are off to the Butterfly park this afternoon for a play date with some friends. The boys are excited to get outside to play, and they love the Butterfly Park. The last time we met for a play date with this particular friend, they were worn out. The 4 boys are all the same ages (well, the 2 oldest are 4 and the 2 youngest are 2), so I think that helps, that they are on the same levels and have someone to relate to. I am hoping this afternoon does the same for wearing them out, as they have gotten their sleep schedule screwy again, and I need them to get back on track. Staying up all night while they take turns waking up and then falling back to sleep is exhausting!!
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The Dorothy news is so sad. I had to wipe the tears from my eyes to finish reading. I'm so sorry for your loss. Love you all, Aunt Connie
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