Heavy Conversations

Troy: “Dada, why did Shimba die?”

Me: “She was old, bud.”

Troy: “But why did she have to die?”

Me: “That’s what happens. She had too many birthdays, and then it was her time to die.”

Troy: “Well, I don’t want to get old and die.”

Me: “Me neither, bud. But eventually it will happen.”

Troy: “I don’t want you to die either.”

Me: “Thank you. Hopefully, it won’t happen for a very long time. I’ve had a lot of birthdays, but I plan on having a lot more.”

Troy: “I don’t want to have anymore birthdays.”

Me: “Well, you can’t stop them. Every year, you’ll have another one. But you have a lot of birthdays ahead of you, so don’t worry about it.”

Troy: “I don’t want you to die, Dada. I want you to stay with me forever.”

Me: “I’d like that too, but some day I will die, and then I’ll go to Heaven and hang out with God.”

Troy: “But why do you have to die?”

Me: “Well, when God determines that I’ve had enough birthdays, then He’ll decide it’s my time to die. And then, He’ll take me to live with Him in Heaven.”

Troy: “I’m sad, Dada. I don’t want you to die.”

Me: “Don’t be sad. You shouldn’t focus on losing me, you should focus on spending as much time with me as you can while I’m here. You don’t need to worry about any of this. All you need to do is enjoy our time together today. That’s it. Just have fun with me today, and don’t worry about any of that other stuff. Right?”

Troy: “I guess so. I still miss Shimba.”

Me: “Me too, bud. She was a good dog.”