Bloom

Last week, our neighbor Mr. Douglas called to inform me that his wife, Mary, had passed away. She was about 80 years old, and had been battling cancer for a number of years, so I was not shocked by the news. However, I was sad, and I knew the kids would be heartbroken. They liked Mrs. Douglas a lot, and would surely miss her giving them treats.

The day of Mary Douglas's funeral, Jethro and I dressed the kids in black and went to the service to show our respect.

The kids had never been to a funeral before, and while we were at the cemetery, Abby asked me what was happening. She was fascinated by the funeral process.

I explained to Abby that when someone dies, we put them in a fancy box called a casket.

"Then what happens?" She asked curiously.

"Then we put them in the ground and bury them," I told her.

"Oh," she said.

She was quiet for a few moments before saying, "Then why is everyone so sad? In the spring, Mrs. Douglas will bloom and we will see her again!"

A few people heard Abby's statement, and that in itself was enough to brighten the mood.