Home Again

I finally got back from our three day work "retreat" this afternoon and was greeted by two very happy, very excited, very loving little boys. Liam just kept looking at me then hugging me and saying "Oh Mommy!" Beanie practically jumped out of Emily's arms when he saw me. It almost makes having to go away worth it--just for that kind of warm reception when I return. Ken did fine with the boys, although he does seem really tired but in all honesty (and understandably) he has been drained since Andy died. Tonight for the first time Liam asked me "Where is Uncle Andy?? Is he coming over??" Even though I had been prepared to answer him for the past two and a half weeks I still dreaded having to tell him. I asked Ken if he wanted to tell him and he asked that I do it, and so I did. I sat Liam down and told him that Uncle Andy wouldn't be coming over anymore and that we weren't going to be able to see him again. He got sad and said "Why not?" and I told him he couldn't come over anymore because he had died. Liam's first rapid fire question was "Why did he die?" and before I could answer him he said "Why? Was it because he ate garbage?" (??!!!!) WHY he asked this, I am not sure. It derailed me for a second and I told him "no, Andy did not eat garbage. He died because his heart stopped beating and we need our hearts to live." He seemed ok with that answer. Then he asked if Uncle Tom (Ken's best friend) was going to come over and I when I told him no, Liam said "Is he dead too?" I reassured him that Tom was alive and well, just a very busy doctor unable to come over at a moment's notice. I know the question will resurface--it usually does. I've tried to talk to him before about death and he asked me so many unanticipated questions he left me speechless. He is one smart and intuitive little turkey.