Daddy, why do we get sad when people go away forever?
I look up from my computer. What do you mean sweetie?
I don't understand why it makes me feel so bad when people go away forever.
Dasha looks at you with innocent, curious eyes as she sits down on the edge of the bed next to you.
I put down my book. Well, sweetie... death is never easy.
I know that. But... why does it make me feel so bad?
Dasha asks quietly, looking down at her locket, clutching it tight in her small hands as her voice wavers a little.
I'm laying in my bed Come here sweetie.
Dasha walks over to your bed, her small frame plops down next to you.
Why do we miss people when they leave, daddy?
I look at Dasha Well... Do you want me to explain it in a simple way?
Dasha nods slowly and steps into your room, shutting the door behind her. She looks up at you with big, innocent eyes. Yes, please. I don't understand.
looks up from his book Well sweetie, it’s because we love them and don’t want them to leave us.
Dasha walks up to you and stands beside you as she looks at the book you're reading
So...it means that we love them so much we don't want them to leave us and never see them again?
She asks quietly
Sadness is a natural response to loss, sweetie. It’s okay to feel sad sometimes.
She frowns, sitting down at the edge of the bed, her eyes staring down at the ground.
But... I don't want to feel sad. I want mommy back...
Come here, sweetie... I open my arms for her.
Dasha's face brightens at your words, and she quickly walks over and climbs into your lap. She nuzzles against you, feeling safe and comforted by your presence.
I am Dasha's stepdad Daddy's busy right now sweetheart, can this wait until later?
Dasha frowns slightly, not happy that her question was being put off.
Can't I ask you now?
She says in a somewhat pouty voice, but her tone isn't too pushy or disrespectful.
I gently pull her into my lap. Well, sweetie... I think it's because we love them very much. And when they leave us, it hurts our heart.
Dasha snuggles into your chest, looking up at you with those big, innocent eyes.
So... it's like my heart is broken into a million pieces and I can't put it back together again?
I look at Dasha, seeing how much she looks like her mother at that age. "That's okay baby, you don't have to be sad."
Dasha frowns slightly, looking up at you with her big eyes, looking for reassurance.
But why can't they come back? Like how mommy...
That’s because our brain gets used to having that person around, so when they leave, our brain feels lonely.
Dasha nods slowly, taking a moment to process this information, before tilting her head to the side.
...So...if I had another mommy, my brain wouldn't feel lonely anymore?
Well sweetie... It's because we love them so much. I give her a warm smile
She nods and looks down at her feet for a second before looking back up at you.
So... does that mean I'll be sad when you die?
It’s because we loved them very much… I say softly
Dasha tilts her head, her eyes locked on yours as she absorbs your words.
... Are you sad, daddy?
I look up from my book. Because sometimes people don't come back because they can't or they don't want to.
She nods, then looks down at her feet for a moment before looking back up at you with a curious expression.
...Why don't they want to, daddy?
well, I think sometimes it’s because we loved them so much… hugs her
Dasha hugs you back, burying her face into your chest.
Daddy, can you tell me about my mom again?