A surprise goodbye...

Tonight, as I read Ella Enchanted to the children, Elliott went out back to let the dogs run and to go feed our backyard bunnies. We got the bunnies when I was pregnant with Micah, they are nearly five years old. Feeding the rabbits is one of Elliott's nightly "shut down" routines, and they love his nightly visits. 

Oblivious to all the goings on in the backyard, I was trying to keep straight which voice went with which character. When Caleb burst in with a shriek and exclaimed "One of the bunnies died!", I dropped our read aloud and ran out to see. My husband recounted how he had given the girls their nightly carrots but was only greeted by one cheerful rabbit. It only took moments before the children were crying, even I choked back my tears and tried to figure out where to bury our sweet bunny friend.

When you acquire a new pet, you don't often think about the "one day" when your furry friend's 5-7 year life span will have spun itself out. Questions about life and death from the children start rolling off the tongue as tears roll down cheeks. Some wrote notes, drew pictures.  Others just cried. Noah has been reciting what could be written on Dot's tombstone (they've already picked it out and have the Sharpie at the ready once the wording is agreed upon) until we finally had to ask him to wait until tomorrow. 

Our evening ended with a little more reading from Ella and a lot of hugs of consolation. Evening prayers were whispered through sniffling. Children reluctantly drifted off to sleep. I am praying that this reminder of the briefness of life will inspire us to not only to grieve what we've lost, but to propel us towards rejoicing in all we have, being filled with thanksgiving to our Creator. 

Tough evening for the kids, but thankful for this opportunity to love them through their trials of sorrow and be able to point them to Jesus, our greatest comfort. 

These photos were taken a few weeks ago when we brought the bunnies in during a freeze. Micah is holding Spot, Caleb has Dot.