My son's fish died. He's almost eleven and loved this fish with his entire heart and soul. First thing in the morning "good morning flash" . . .often before a hello mom. Last thing at night, "good night flash" always after good night mom. Flash would "bop" for food and Aidan loved showing off his tricks to friends and family.(I know fish don't learn tricks but swear to god this one did!) While eating breakfast Flash would get to watch television. . . Nintendo ds with a replay of worms usually. . . cause fish like worms. At Christmastime we bought him a bridge for his tank. His birthday a new shell. Once his sister was talking to flash and knocked the entire tank over. Luckily flash stayed in the tank but he was banged up(again I KNOW it's just a fish but serious first pet love here). So I rushed to the pet store and bought a healing eucalyptus liquid we used nightly until he perked up again. Another time when he got ick I spent $17 on medicine to heal him. A new fish around $5 . . . but the medicine worked and we cheated death once again. I would sometimes hear Aidan spilling his heart out to flash. Often he would let flash 'dance" to his I-Dog. Both boys are partial to smoke on the water and other guitar hero classics. Unfortunately death always prevails.

We came home from soccer practice, his sisters, and went to finish cleaning the tank. I saw his little lifeless body and shooed all other kids away. I gave Aidan a big hug and said sorry. The poor baby started all out body heaving-shoulder shaking-can't breathe bawling. He was completely inconsolable. His siblings came in and said sorry, which made him cry even (impossibly) harder. We moved Flash and Aidan into his bedroom for some quiet moments. I cried right along with him. Because I could not find the words to comfort him. Because I remember losing my best friend. Because I was helpless to make him feel better. Because each tear down his cheek broke my heart even further. Because I knew this is a small taste of the heartache life has in store for us all.

We prepared a burial for Flash-a small lidded container with marbles, shell and plant filled with water for Flash to enjoy for all time. (I know the good ole Viking funeral is the more realistic choice but Aidan was afraid flash would be eaten in the sea) Spent the entire afternoon holding visitation then said goodbye to a dear old friend as we placed his mini-eternal aquarium under the tree. We talked about God, Heaven, and the souls of those we love watching over us. We have endured another entire day of the heartache. He cries at night, he cries in the morning, he cried at his wrestling tournament. Hopefully school will help. Time will heal. And He will be stronger for it.