Eli came home from school today and fed his favorite fish, Patrick. Just like he does everyday. Patrick, the fish he spent his very own money on. Patrick did not respond. Eli started to panic. Sometimes Patrick sleeps and wakes up when we tap on the tank. He has scared Eli before with fake death tricks. But today it was real. Patrick died.
I have never seen my Eli so heartbroken.
I love the picture he drew for Patrick. And how in the picture Eli is smiling and crying at the same time, while Patrick is flying through the sky.
I gave Eli a big hug while he cried and cried for his little fishy friend. We discussed some different burial options. One, Patrick could be flushed down the toilet and would live happily with his other fishy friends in the great waters below or two,we could go and find a sand shovel, dig Patrick a grave in the backyard and have a funeral service. This is what Eli chose. I dug the grave. Eli put Patrick in the ground. And after Eli had said his goodbyes he took it upon himself to fill in the hole. Sophia found a fern in the forest to use as a grave marker. Together they made Patrick's new resting place look just perfect.
R.I.P. little fishy friend.
7 comments:
Oh so sweet! Such a nice little poster for his friend. I love that you had burial options. Nice touch!
Oh, so sad. It sounds to me like you handled it just right. I hope he isn't sad for too long!
Awww... I hope Eli feels better soon. RIP Patrick :(
oh i remember those days when we had fish too..i hope Eli feels better, he'll really remember all you did for him.
RIP, Patrick.
My nephew Zach had a fish when he was little (around 5 years old) and one day it died. He called up his cousin Drew (same age) and they had a conversation. I heard Drew's end of the conversation. He was very sympathetic towards Zach and said he was so sorry. He asked what they did with the fish body and if they could dig it up and look at it. I think Zach said ok. But I don't think they ever really dug it up! Kids are so funny! I hope Eli feels better soon!
awww. poor eli.
tis better to have loved and lost .....
{{hugs}}
Poor little man! That is a sad thing to have to go thru as a child. I remember when my first dog, TACO (yes...Taco) died as a kid...I was crushed. But we got another dog shortly thereafter and the pain was eased.
(((HUGS))) to Eli!
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