Noah, thoroughly enchanted by the recent season of caterpillars that has begun in our yard, was devastated yesterday when he happened upon one caterpillar who had succumbed to death and the onslaught of ants. He worried about this caterpillar a great deal, and began to be disillusioned about all caterpillars and their ability to live and become butterflies.
Even a good night's sleep didn't deter him from thinking long and hard about this caterpillar and his untimely death... So this morning, after breakfast, I helped him hold his first funeral (my idea.... He had to ask what a funeral was.)
We got bundled up, adding shoes and jackets (it's 9:00 am and still a bit chilly at 47 degrees). I grabbed a Sharpie marker, a spoon, and a piece of cardboard. We trekked out and found a suitable rock, then sat down around the deceased caterpillar. I scooped him onto the cardboard and gave Noah the spoon to dig a hole. We slid the body of the caterpillar into his new grave and patted the dirt back over him. A tiny earthworm, upended by our digging, came to attend the funeral and Noah watched him wriggle and tried not to cry as we sang "I Feel My Savior's Love". We said nice things about the little caterpillar, and Noah continued to fight back tears as I wrote "R.I.P. Caterpillar" on the found tombstone.
Wen we'd concluded our remarks, I asked him what last song he wanted to sing, and he tearfully asked if we could sing a "rest in peace song". I gently suggested "Whenever I Hear the Song of a Bird". We sang, and said a closing prayer, and that was that. He took deep breaths to hold in his tears, asked a few more questions, and then we were done.
As we headed back into the house, I spotted one, no two, no THREE living caterpillars at various spots near the door. I was delighted to be able to cheer his little heart and show him that not all caterpillars are doomed to such a sad end. He, being Noah, asked to have those caterpillars "talk to him", so I dutifully played the part and he was able to tell them all about their brother's funeral and they were able to thank him for his service.
In all, it was a good way to start our morning. Oddly enough.
3 comments:
so sweet - thanks for sharing
This is simply darling. And amazing. I am constantly floored at how deeply that little munchkin thinks and feels.
What a touching memory recorded here for him to revisit sometime when he is older. Sometimes I wish blogs existed when *I* was little.
I'm so glad you took time to share it. I love that kid.
made me a little weepy to read this - as well as giggly.
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