Categories: uncategorized
Date: 12 January 2006 21:02:23
Tiddles has been struggling once again with the prospect of an ever-increasingly poorly Grandad who will one day no longer be there. It's been displayed in various forms, most noticeable being a reversion to being 2 or 3 years old in his speech, his play, his needs, and two massive tantrums over nothing whatsoever which have left me somewhat battered and bruised. But last night he finally broke down and talked to me.
"Mummy, it's too soon. I've been working out how long he and I have had together, and I've still had more years without him than with him. How lonely life will be when he dies. It's just too soon."
He's right. It's too soon. 42 years just isn't enough... I guess no amount of years is ever enough when you're losing someone you love dearly. But then, how do you explain to a child (a three year old at heart) about quality of life for Grandad and for us. How, when he asks what we will do when Grandad is no longer with us, do you explain that in some ways that time will bring freedom along with the sadness and anger and emptiness? He wants back the grandad who can enjoy life and play football with him and frighten the life out of us by riding the birthday bicycle down the hill. So do I.