This may be a little late with Easter weeks ago now but with the endless winter we are having it still seems timely. For Easter we traveled to Jake's dad's and step-mom's in Central Minnesota. Easter to my kids mostly means candy, Easter hunts and family. We try to talk a lot about Spring and signs of new life. Though sometimes I think it goes in one ear and out the other. As the day went on it became evident that they may be listening more then I realized. We had a fun day spent outside. The kids went on walks, played on the zip line, went to the park, saw sap boiling, loved up the horses and got some quality time with their grandparents. I even got to take a nap with Leo! It really was a joyous day.
Nika my free spirit discovered a dead bird on the ground. It had flown into the window and broke its neck. She was carrying it around cradled in her hand. She kept saying, "It will be okay." We explained to her that it was not okay, it had died. She took her grandma's hand and they went looking for a place to put the bird. Nika looked up at her and said, "We will put the bird in the ground. Mother Earth will take care of it. Her hand will come up from below, hold the bird and bring it back to life." I melted with her imagery. I could not have said it any better.
Avi and I were in the pasture loving up the horses. I explained to Avi that Mr, the horse, was now about 30 years old and that is really old for a horse. I took her hand and ran it over Mr's rib cage that was evident. Mr was not doing well I explained. He is thin and not gaining weight. I could tell she was listening intently. I went on to say that Mr may die soon. What she did next still brings tears to my eyes. She waked to his face and placed her hand on the side of his face. She looked him in the eye and said, "Mr it is okay if you want to die now. You have lived a long life. Mother Earth will take care of you. You can die now." Tears streamed down my face as we both said goodbye to Mr. She was not sad. She skipped back to the rest of family so comfortable with the cycle of life. I was expecting her to ask about calling a vet or feeding him more food. Instead she freed him to to the other side and again like Nika he would be held by the loving care of our Mother Earth.
I am so very proud of my children. They are connected to All That Is. I am honored to learn from them.