A Christmas Story.....

[Green Mountain Dem]

from Carly (my grandaughter)...Hi Papa I just thought you should know that I really don't want a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. I heard that you could put someone's eye out with one of those things! I know I just turned 8 but I could really use a cell phone...most of my friends have one, and you wouldn't have to worry about me putting anyone's eye out. Please Papa..I know that aunt Janet is very sick, but she would get it for me if she knew that I wanted one.

Aunt Janet is my sister, and has always been very generous with her gift giving, especially at Christmas. This year will be different, and I need advice on how to explain to Carly, that her Aunt Janet will not be sending any presents this year!

She is on a morphine drip, started yesterday, and will more than likely be gone by tomorrow. She remains in an induced coma and has no brain activity..a result of 2 strokes during this most recent incident. She had no children and Carly, our only grandchild, became her favorite.

I have now lost two siblings, a best friend, and my beloved Dad, at or around Xmas time and it really sucks! I will have to tell Carly that her favorite aunt has passed and hope that her Xmas will not be too disrupted.

How does one do this??

[MichiganVote]

1. You don't. Her parents do the telling.

[Frosty1]

2. What can I say?

:hug:

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

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[gateley]

4. ...

:grouphug:

[DemReadingDU]

5. What a difficult time you are going thru

I would think that Carly probably already is aware that Aunt Janet is very ill. Kids understand when someone is sick, they aren't able to do things like they can when they are feeling good. If Janet does pass soon, and it will be very sad, but Janet will be in heaven and she'll be with all of you in spirit. And being Christmas, have everyone remember their favorite Christmas with Janet, and share the loving memories of her.

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. Buy her something nice and tell her it's from her aunt

I don't normally like not being honest with kids but in this case, that could help her with closure. She would have something to hang on to that helps her remember the good times with her aunt.

[DemReadingDU]

7. Maybe Janet has a pretty necklace or bracelet

that Carly has admired. Perhaps Janet would want this piece of jewelry to go to Carly this Christmas. And Carly would have something that belonged to her favorite Aunt to always remember her.

[TomInTib]

8. What I would do...

is buy her a cell phone and give it to her from Aunt Janet.

She is only eight years old.

Wait until after Christmas and let her parents tell her about Aunt Janet having passed on to something better.

And, if you think it best, be there as well(if you can) so that Carly can have a more direct link to her Aunt Janet.


My thoughts and prayers are with you on this one, G M D.

[rasputin1952]

9. How truly sad...

However...there is a love and a warmth that transcends all we know.

Her parents need to tell her about her Aunt Janet, but you could do what ever you can to alleviate some of the pain. Persoanlly, I like the idea of something that belonged to her that she enjoyed, something that 20 or 30 years from now will bring back memories of warmth and love.

:hug: