KJP I just remembered (I had blocked out this difficult stretch) that Oct. of her last grade the teacher and aide really emphasized breast cancer awareness week (2nd grade...) and day after day for a few weeks my DD was upset after school about how many people get sick, they have to battle this disease, and she was going back and forth between being overly attached to me and then attacking me (verbally) and worried about how long I was going to be around and saying we don't really know how long anyone will be around etc.
So you never know what will strike these kids and it really is so hard for them and emotionally draining for their parents too.
I don't make any promises that I'll always be around (I had an uncle that died suddenly when I was a child and I thought he was "indestructable" but I learned the hard way that nobody is!) but I don't say, "yep, anyone could go any minute!" I just say you have to treat your family and friends well, do your best and enjoy each day.
