Kids need heaven. It is hard enough for adults to process the concept of death, and children's brains are less developed.
My eldest was just days off being ten when he died. Her sisters aged seven and five. I've told them that we don't really know whether heaven is real, but they believe, in their heart of hearts, that their father is in heaven. (Disconcertingly, it took quite a bit of fast talking to convince my youngest that she did not really want to die in a hurry to be with him again.)
I see it as a mercy to have the established religious "heaven" mythos on hand to comfort them. They have their whole life to come to their own understanding of death. There's no rush.
My condolences to all of you who are feeling the loss of your canine companion. The pain of her death will fade, and when it does, the memories of her life will be with you all forever.
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Date: 2009-06-03 11:20 am (UTC)My eldest was just days off being ten when he died. Her sisters aged seven and five. I've told them that we don't really know whether heaven is real, but they believe, in their heart of hearts, that their father is in heaven. (Disconcertingly, it took quite a bit of fast talking to convince my youngest that she did not really want to die in a hurry to be with him again.)
I see it as a mercy to have the established religious "heaven" mythos on hand to comfort them. They have their whole life to come to their own understanding of death. There's no rush.
My condolences to all of you who are feeling the loss of your canine companion. The pain of her death will fade, and when it does, the memories of her life will be with you all forever.