Monday, December 07, 2009

Overheard

So yesterday, Sera had her first brush of a 'life and death' conversation. Just before Johan came back from work, I found out from him the terrible news about his colleague. Johan was very shaken and I just casually pre-empted Sera about Johan being sad about a friend at work. I didn't give details ... just that Johan was feeling very, very sad.

This afternoon, in the car, Sera brought up the sad incident at Johan's work.

"Mama, how is papa's friend?"
"Hmm, not so good ... "
"Papa is really sad about his friend."
"Yes, he is ... "
"I shall give papa a big hug when he comes back tonight."

I could not help myself but my eyes started to water.

Conversation between Sera and Johan this evening ...

"Papa, how is your friend?"
"He's in the hospital."

"Papa, did he drive into the sea?"
"Yes."
"But why did he drive into the sea?"
"He may have been sleeping."

"What happened in the sea? Did the sharks eat him?"
"No, sharks did not eat him. He drowned."


Gulp.


I was in the kitchen when I overheard their conversation. My heart did a flip and my tummy got all knotted up ... my 3 year old daughter is starting to learn empathy, and for few seconds seemed wise for her age.



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