We were all sitting out on the deck, having dinner and chatting.
mfm: Did you hear about the baby dolphin at the zoo? [Newborn Dolphin Dies at Brookfield Zoo].
me: Yes, that was really very sad. But I heard it's not uncommon for dolphins.
Adriana: What happened?
me: The baby dolphin didn't make it.
Adriana: Does that mean it died?
me: Yes.
Adriana: Aren't you and Jon going to have a baby on November 1st?
me: Yes, we were. But our baby didn't make it.
Adriana: Your baby died?
me: Yes. But maybe one day we can have another baby.
Adriana: Maybe your baby can be born on August 8, just like me!
me: Are you sure? Because then you'd have to share your birthday party, your cake, maybe even your presents...
Adriana: Hmmm. Well maybe your baby's birthday can be on August 9th.
***
Later on, mfm, ri and I were sitting at the table. Ri was talking about having to find tenants for her old condo. Adriana came up from the backyard and proceeded to put a flower in my hair, and then in ri's hair.* But she still had a few flowers in her hand.
Ri: Who are those flowers for?
Adriana: Someone very special. I'm not telling who. Mom, can I have some string?
mfm: Sure. I'll go find something. [She comes back with a little piece of tulle. Adriana ties it around the flowers and brings them over to me.]
Adriana: This is for your baby. Who died.
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mfm had told the girls we were going to have a baby, but it had been so long since anyone mentioned it, she had no idea the kids remembered it at all, let alone the due date. Her plan was to count on their lack of knowledge about gestation and not say anything until we actually had a baby. But Adriana, as usual, was smarter than we expected. I was so touched, I get teary just thinking about it.
*Inquiring minds want to know why, if Jon is "so cool," he didn't get any flowers in his hair. He had about four or five flowers hanging out of each of his back pockets.
5 comments:
Heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time.
kids just do and say without worrying about what to do or say. they're amazing. big kiss!
Oh, man. This hit me right in the feelings-place. <3
Simply beautiful.
What a lovely child!
That's so darling and you know she's just past that age of know... my sister in law did the "dont tell him we lost the baby b/c he has no sense of time" and let things pick back up later... so lucky for them it worked. ~ But what a wonderful moment and to come from a child - you know at age 2 she taught me a lesson on how to love. With a full 100% open heart yes that little girl is that brilliant :)
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