A Little Perspective... and A Little Sleep

For the past twelve weeks I have been facilitating a grief support group for children at a local non-profit agency. Each of the children lost a parent to death - be it suicide, an accident, or cancer. I had seven amazing children in my group, ranging in age from 4 to 8. I was a little (okay, very) nervous at first to be talking about death with such young children. Did they understand what it meant to die? Would they cry all the time? Would I be able to answer all their questions? In looking back at the last twelve weeks, I realized I had absolutely nothing to be nervous about. In fact, those seven children gave me a little perspective on my own life and in the end, aided in me overcome my insomnia (if even just for one night).

Last night we had a big party to celebrate the completion of the program. The kids invited their parents to come to the classroom and learn about what they had been doing for the last twelve weeks. Here I thought they would talk about all the great lessons they learned like "It's okay to be sad" and "I should talk to someone when I'm angry." No, not my kids. Instead they shared all the funny and embarrassing moments of the twelve weeks... like the time the youngest girl farted while we were reading a story. And the time one of the boys glued his finger to the table. Or the volcano activity spilling uncontrollably onto the floor. The parents got a good laugh and I'm sure I turned a nice shade of pink. In the end, all the kids had fun and they all learned how to cope with their parent's death. What surprised me, though, was how much I learned from the kids. They reminded me of the innocence of childhood and the sweetness that comes along with simply not caring that you told the class your mom's most embarrassing habits. They reminded me to be thankful for a life with TWO parents and to not take that fact for granted. They taught me about hope that is so pure and love that is so unconditional.

I admit there were nights when I'd come home from a class with the kids completely exhausted, longing for the twelfth week. There were nights when the kids did so much giggling and acted so darn silly I was certain they weren't "getting it". But last night I was a little sad as each of the kids hugged me goodbye and gave me their hand-made pictures and thank you cards. And the BEST part of last night's celebration: I was so completely exhausted that I slept more than I have all week. In fact, I slept until almost 3am... nearly 5 whole hours of sweet, sweet sleep!! Hallelujah!!