From the day Diana was born we have told her about her late Grandma Diane. She knows that she was named after her and she also knows that she was born on her birthday, a very special day that was!
Occasionally, and especially as she gets older, she asks more and more questions about Grandma Diane. I like to think this came out of the blue, but logically or logically to an almost 5 year old, I can see how she made the connection...
I was at work and Diana was dropped off here after daycare. She likes to 'work' with Mom and pretends she has her own office. She appeared at the side of my desk and said, "Mom, is Daddy's mom in heaven?"
"Yes, she is."
"How did she die," said Diana.
"Well, she was sick."
"Why was she sick?"
"She had cancer..."
"What is cancer?"
I had to think hard and quickly for the right words to say..."Cancer is something that sometimes happens to people and makes them sick inside their bodies. Sometimes the doctor's can help and make it better and sometimes it grows too quickly and the doctors can't help. Grandma's cancer grew too quickly."
Diana's eyes grew wide and she said, "Is she in heaven with Pixie?"
I saw that this made her feel better and I couldn't help but grow a big smile on my face. You see, Pixie is Diana's fish who sadly went to heaven. She has been asking for another fish recently since Pixie came from Santa last year and she is hoping maybe, just maybe, he will bring her another one this year. She made the connection that if both Grandma and Pixie were in heaven then maybe they were together!
