Millie aged four, announced unexpectedly, "Granny I was in Mummy's tummy, one day. How about you?"
"I was also in my mummy's tummy a long time ago," I replied.
She looked at me incredulously and asked the inevitable question.
"Which mummy? I haven't seen her."
I replied, "My mummy died because she was very old and so did my daddy. They are in Heaven now and that is why we can't see them."
Millie thought for a bit and replied, "I buried some one once but I can't remember who it was. Who was it Granny?"
I had to think for a moment. Was it the Japanese great grandmother?
Then the penny dropped!
"Oh...... that was Rick and Dean's daddy, last summer," I replied.
Millie nodded and I expected some more very difficult questions because the whole thing had been very traumatic for all the family.
The conversation was obviously going to be carried on.
"Granny, why is Buzz Light Year doing that?" She asked as she continued to watch the video that was still on, but had been temporarily forgotten ........
Footnote for newcomers:- My son in law died last September and the children went to the funeral. Rick and Dean are Millie's cousins.
A few minutes later on her way to nursery with her Daddy, she continued her conversation. See Sam's Blog for more. (I hope you like Morris dancing!)
Children make many hos and skips in their thought processes, but hey always get there in the end. That was an interesting conversation you had. She must have been puzzled about you fitting into someone's tummy.
ReplyDeleteI meant, they make many hops and skips.
ReplyDeleteVery touching post. I love the way children think.
ReplyDeleteLovely Maggie, when my firs husband died my youngest was 3 oldest 5 Conversation
ReplyDeleteWheres dad now then
Ans In heaven of course
Q which bit
Well the Welsh bit of course, the one with bobble hats and red scarves sigh
Kids I love em
Aren't children wonderful - they keep us alert! A x
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of questions my children asked when they were that age. And just as it would seem the conversation might get too difficult, they too had a way of veering off into something else.
ReplyDeleteA poignant post, Maggie May. And that photograph is just perfect to illustrate the sentiments.
Strange how death is a way to mark a milestone in our lives. It surrounds us and haunts us and tags along even when we don't want it to.
ReplyDeleteOh, she is a sweetie! and a sweetie with her wheels turning!
ReplyDeleteI like the way that children mull over things.
ReplyDeleteGreat photo!!
Just went over to your son's blog to read the rest of the story. Your granddaughter is such a sweetie! I can remember my own sons surprise when they finally began to understand family relationships, too.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful innocence.
ReplyDeleteCJ xx
Children are so accepting, they only require a simple explanation and then they move on. :)
ReplyDeleteOh thank goodness for short kiddie attention spans and buzz lightyear...
ReplyDeleteA lovely story Maggie!
ReplyDeleteI love how little one's brains function. Their conversations are so practical and down-to-earth.
ReplyDeleteHugs.
I came over for your POD mention of Poet's Walk, but got caught up reading this cute little conversation and touching post and then went over to your son's place... is it any wonder that I ever complete anything? :-)
ReplyDeleteExcellent example of how children process information - in bits and pieces. Hope all are recovering from your SIL's death. Hopefully time heals all. I loved the picture. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI love the way children think. She is definately a thinker and how wonderful she can just open up to you like that. What a sweetie.
ReplyDeleteOut of the mouths of babes.
ReplyDeleteI think God made small rodents such as gerbils who die every two years to be kept as pets so that children get to deal with death and bereavement. Enquiring minds eh?
ReplyDeleteso funny and sweet. Of course we all went over and read the other one. I loved the amazement - still remember my brother having a tantrum because he couldn't see himself in some old family picture and couldn't believe we'd had any kind of life before he was born!
ReplyDeleteTheir sideways look at life is so refreshing.
I love how children ask their questions so frankly and digest what they can so simply. When the girls were little I would worry about the questions dove-tailing on one another into subjects too deep to explain. but I soon learned that they ask for what they can understand and then they are good with the given info.
ReplyDeleteA great post. Kids keep us honest because they ask the questions no adult would dare to ask.
ReplyDeleteDon't you wonder some times what is going through a child's mind? I love this story, Maggie May! I checked out the rest of the story at your son's blog--so cute! And it's nice to have technical support person right in your own family:)
ReplyDeleteHi Maggie,
ReplyDeleteAnother wonderful post!
I love how children keep everything locked inside their minds and have such great memories and then make all their questions in such a funny way...
Big Hugs X
She sounds quite bright. She knew she remembered it. I pray your daughter and grandsons are doing better. I remember that dark time and I pray the Lord is comforting all.
ReplyDeleteThat little girl is just so special and so smart!!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I remember when all that all that happened.
You can see why Jesus said, "Suffer liitle children unto me". Innocent and totally uncorrupted by this big bad world.
ReplyDeleteEddie
Children see things in such black and white terms. *smile*
ReplyDeleteOff over to Sam;s for a peak...
Thanks everyone for your lovely comments. It means a lot to me!
ReplyDeleteMy grandchildren provide me with such pleasure and of course they are wonderful blogging material!
I am so sorry to hear about the lose in your family... but i love the part about being in mummy's tummys :)
ReplyDeletelovely and so touching :)
One day she will ask how she got there and how did she get out!
ReplyDeleteI admire parents and grandparents who answer children's questions honestly and simply. She will process the information in time, and will respect the way her questions were answered.
ReplyDeleteI hope others are recovering well from your son-in-law's death.
Can identify with this conversation. Really enjoyed your Wordless picture too, Maggie.
ReplyDeleteChildren amaze me. I am not looking forward to telling my little one she grew in someone else's tummy...But it won't be long before she asks.
ReplyDeleteCongrats again on POTD. Eddie
ReplyDeleteMaggie,
ReplyDeleteyou captured some precious dialog with that sweet granddaughter of yours!
I am sorry your family suffered such a great loss.
So sorry for your loss. Children are great; they take it all in a bit at a time and process it, and when they decide they are ready for more details they come back for more. but until then they carry on as normal. It's a great way of coping with the trials of life.
ReplyDeleteOver from David's, congrats on your mention. I'll be back.
We worry so much more then our children do about BIG THINGS in life.....
ReplyDeletebtw....... I LOVE morris dancing and always ALWAYS wanted to join a morris club..... alas, that is now out of the question....
x