You will remember that my Uncle Scott gifted our kids with fish a year and a half ago. You should know that no one is more surprised than us that they lived this long. Seriously, we would be getting ready for bed and ask each other:
“Have you fed the fish lately?”
“No. Have you?”
“Nope.” (shrug) “I’ll do it tomorrow.” (yeah right)
Nevertheless, Hank and Nemo did survive, hardy little fish that they are.
Er, were.
Unfortunately, poor Nemo has left his short, neglected life and swam up to that Great Fishbowl in the Sky. He is survived by his brother Hank, who is blue in mourning. (no, really)
When I tried to obliquely suggest that Lord Herndon dispose of the body, our astute little Prince heard and asked right away, and as loudly as he could, “Did Nemo die?”
So we had to have the Death Talk much sooner than I had ever expected to.
Princess handled the news surprisingly well, given that Nemo was her fish. She immediately asked if Nemo was with Jesus, and when we told her we were sure he was, she was satisfied. So we had a burial for our friend, Nemo, the Red Betta Fish.
Prince chose the sacred burial ground and performed the ground-breaking, then Lord Herndon did the dirty work.
Lord Herndon said a short but heart-felt prayer for Nemo, and we all said what a good fish he was. Then Princess cheerfully waved good-bye and tossed in the first handful of earth.
Sweet Pea helped make sure Nemo was completely covered.
It’s hard to tell exactly how much of all this the kids understood, but Sweet Pea didn’t seem too distraught.
And Princess? She asked for a new Nemo. A pink one. She obviously doesn’t remember that our very first fish for her was pink and didn’t last two days. So this will be Princess’ third fish. Hmm…
