Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Ashley Willis

Home
Family, Parenting and Religion
The Inescapable Truth about CHILDHOOD

The Inescapable Truth about CHILDHOOD

Last updated on: November 26, 2018 at 11:14 am by Ashley Willis

The Inescapable Truth about CHILDHOOD 2018-11-26T11:14:21-04:00 Ashley Willis

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

No matter where we go or what we do on Earth, we can’t escape it. It’s constantly ticking away–TIME.
We’re early. We’re late. We say things like, “You’re ahead of your time” and “Get with the Times.” It’s an inseparable part of us.

I think we become more aware of time once we’re raising and teaching children. We’ve been getting older since the day we were conceived, but it’s hard to notice how we are changing when we’re the midst of it. But, it’s different with kids. We watch time aggressively tick away one milestone, one birthday, one boo boo, one graduation, and even one pet burial at a time.

Recently, our precious Guinea pig, named “Brave,” passed away. The children gave her that name because she was literally the only piggie that didn’t run away from our rambunctious boys at the pet store. We knew she had aged and wasn’t acting like her energetic, squeally self, and we were all well aware of her impending death.

But, when I came home and saw her lifeless body nessled up next to her little playhouse, I felt the finality of our time with her. And, it hit me harder than I was expecting. My heart sank, and I started bawling. I cried and cried as I thought about how I was going to tell our 9 year-old, Connor, who had always played with her and fed her carrots every day.

I waited on the front porch for Connor to get off the bus. All I could do was stare at him off in the distance, and I prayed that God would give me the right words as he came closer. At one point, he smiled and yelled, “Hi Mommy!” I waved at him and told him to come to me. His facial expression changed when he saw that I had been crying. When he asked me what was wrong, I told him that Brave had passed away. He quickly ran to her cage to see her. He reached down to touch her and felt how stiff her body had become. Tears began streaming down his face, and he put his arms around me as he cried.

He was heart-broken as we prepared to bury her little body in the back yard. She was our boys’ first and only pet. We had her for four years, and the boys loved her—especially Connor. She had been the surprising center of attention at the boys birthday parties, and she was a neighborhood celebrity among the kids. We bathed her, got special veggies and toys for her, and gave her frequent back massages to hear her sweet Guinea pig purr. But, most of all, we just loved her.

http://sixseeds.patheos.com/ashleywillis/dear-mother-with-the-strong-willed-child-an-open-letter/

My husband gathered the kids and said the 23rd Psalm as he laid her down in her burial spot beside our trampoline. He talked about Brave being a sweet pet, and we each shared our favorite memory of her. Through his tears, Connor talked about how much fun he had with Brave and ended with saying, “I think Brave had a good life. I think she was a happy Guinea pig with us.” I think he was right. Connor placed a special stone on top of the grave, and that was it. Brave was now but a memory–a very special childhood pet.

That night, I talked to my husband about Brave, and once again, I couldn’t help but cry. I even told my husband that I couldn’t understand why Brave’s death had been so upsetting to me. He gave me the most compassionate look as I ugly-cried over Brave. Then, he said,

“Ashley, I think you are sad that Brave passed away, but I think you’re also sad about the reality that a part of their childhood has passed too.”

I had never thought about it that way, but he was so right.

As parents, we get up every day and do what needs to be done. And, it’s so easy to get lost in the busyness and daily grind of it all. But, every now and then God gives us little reminders that this life is short and childhood is fleeting. The older my kids get, the clearer this is to me. I don’t want to rush it. Sometimes, I wish time would just slow down, but unfortunately, it can’t. It keeps ticking on with or without our approval. What we can do, is pause and take it in; the happy moments and the sad ones.

We need to acknowledge what has passed in order to truly embrace what’s ahead. We tried our best to do just that with Brave’s passing. I know this will not be the last pet that we bury or the last time that my kids experience grief, but I do know that this was a moment that we will never forget. Brave’s passing brought our family together for a moment of reflection not only for what she meant to us, but also for the sweet childhood memories that were made during her four years with us. And, for that, I am grateful.

Thank you so much for reading, responding, and sharing. Be blessed!

Previous Post

May 3, 2016

Is Kirk Cameron right about WOMEN SUBMITTING TO THEIR HUSBANDS?

Next Post

May 10, 2016 To the EXHAUSTED MOM

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Parenting Uncategorized

Select a Month January 2019 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does "Selah" (found in Psalms) most likely mean?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Hallelujah Pause/Reflect Sing Amen

Books by This Author Books by Ashley Willis

See All Titles »