tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4774778021065181469.post7655562944719582346..comments2024-01-13T21:12:54.809-06:00Comments on C. Beth Blog.: First funeralC. Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06644509313017237164noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4774778021065181469.post-15781245385460379382011-09-03T19:30:04.911-05:002011-09-03T19:30:04.911-05:00For our adoptive daughter Katie, death was all too...For our adoptive daughter Katie, death was all too much a part of her childhood. She had to learn about death in the most traumatic way possible, and I think it would have been easier for her if she had been exposed to the subject before losing her parents.<br /><br />I think you handled the situation beautifully, and used it as an opportunity to talk openly and honestly about death. As much as we want to, we can't protect our kids from everything, and by allowing them to learn this way, you've given them a chance to be prepared for when it happens to someone close to them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4774778021065181469.post-19560602040638257812011-09-03T15:20:11.304-05:002011-09-03T15:20:11.304-05:00(oops...) for you all. It is difficult to understa...(oops...) for you all. It is difficult to understand and explain the difference between our bodies and our souls but the pure curiosity of children will help simplify it, it seems.Dan & Hillaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02322411767813043827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4774778021065181469.post-43766234108769281272011-09-03T15:18:22.486-05:002011-09-03T15:18:22.486-05:00What an intestesting dayWhat an intestesting dayDan & Hillaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02322411767813043827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4774778021065181469.post-24393807915155494122011-09-03T09:23:52.042-05:002011-09-03T09:23:52.042-05:00Beth, this is very similar to my kids' experie...Beth, this is very similar to my kids' experiences. Our church choir often sings at funerals, so they've been to several, for people we knew, but didn't know well.<br /><br />Having asked all of the questions ahead of time because they've seen funerals before helps them, I think, when it is time to say goodbye to someone they're close to.<br /><br />This past year, two of the kids' schoolmates were killed in a car crash. It's a small parochial school, only about 10 kids in a grade. Not only did the schoolchildren attend the funeral, but they sang Jesus Loves Me and another song chosen by the boys' family.<br /><br />At the end of the school year, the location of the school picnic was adjacent to the cemetery where the brothers were buried. Again, the entire school gathered at the gravesite and the children learned what it means to "pay your respects." It was a hard and sad lesson to learn, but they were so confident of the boys' new home in heaven that they didn't feel the sadness that the adults felt.Lindahttp://minnemom.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4774778021065181469.post-42016554378295639522011-09-03T08:23:04.363-05:002011-09-03T08:23:04.363-05:00My first memories of funerals were much more traum...My first memories of funerals were much more traumatic, I think because I wasn't exposed to funerals until it involved much more emotional losses. Sure, people I knew had passed away but they were people on the outskirts of my life. Friends' grandparents. That guy at church. My great-grandfather I only saw once a year (actually, I remember when he married my great grandmother more than I remember the impact of his death). It was no different to me than if the person had moved away.<br /><br />This meant that from 15-16, I dealt with the death of two grandparents, my best friend, and a sibling all in twelve months, all completely unprepared.<br /><br />Anyways, it doesn't sound weird to me. It sounds like a calm first step in preparing them to understand for a time when, unfortunately, they will have to deal with the loss of someone closer.Call Me Catehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15144735845209334875noreply@blogger.com