The Circle of Life

 We had some excitement a couple of nights ago at our house.  Anna and Leah were outside riding bikes and they found this tiny, helpless, abandoned bird.  They boxed her up and brought her home.  She was jumping and chirping and oh-so-cute (so were the girls).  Leah decided to name her Lola.

 The future veterinarian was having a great time with this.  Raychel got tubes that afternoon, and this is just what she needed to perk up her spirits.

 I had NO idea how to care for this small creature, so I called in the experts: Grant and Papa.  Thank goodness they live just around the corner.  Anna was so animated telling Papa about the news over the phone.  It was all business, and she had he "girlfriend" hand going ( as well as the "girlfriend" head bop).

 Of course all the neighbor kids were involved in this rescue.

 Pops giving council.

 Home...igloo ice chest and lamp.

 Sadly, Lola didn't make it though the next day.  Raychel and I tried to give her water every 20 minutes (with the medicine dropper) though the day.  She would perk up then quickly become limp and quiet.  That afternoon I suggested we say a prayer on behalf of Lola.  I had all the day care kids here, so we all knelt by the cooler and Leah said a very emotional prayer (she was the most worried of them all).  Lola held on for a couple more hours, then finally died.  Leah spiraled into this emotional episode that no amount of comfort or reason could pull her out of.  We're talking stomping of feet and screaming "NO!!!!"  over and over.  Tears and snot smeared all over her face.  Anna joined in on the action too.  It was as though we had lost a treasured member of our family that had been with us through thick and thin.  I'm thinking, "Holy crap!  I knew it would be sad if she died, but I didn't think we'd be transported to the weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth mourning!"  Oh, there was no consoling to be done.  Leah ran up to one of the boys I watch and said (I mean screamed), "This is all your fault!!!  You kept your eyes open during the prayer and now she's dead because of you!!!"  The poor boy responded in vain, "That's not the reason she died!"  Then "girlfriend" piped in, "Well, it didn't help anything, hello!"  By this point, I can't decide if I should bust up laughing at the pure comedy of this all or join the tear fest.  I'm torn between being happy my girls possess such sensitive, tender feelings and bugged because they are completely being irrational.  Leah decided she needed to call Nana and Papa to break the news.  She managed to get out "Lola died" after approximately 3 painful minutes..."Nnnn--Naaaaannn---Nannnnaaaa----Lo---"(the dashes represent gasps for air...you get the idea).  We let everyone know the funeral services would be held at 3:45 PM.      

Nana provided a beautiful casket for the burial...a large, yellow, plastic Easter egg.  We wrapped her body in a floral napkin and sprinkled grass on top of her.  Everyone decorated a stick with her name and Raychel picked some of her most treasured rocks from her collection to decorate the grave.  I thought of a talk from President Monson.  In it he says, "I extol those who, with loving care and compassionate concern, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and house the homeless.  He who notes the sparrow's fall will not be unmindful of such service."  I assured the girls the Lord was very pleased with the service they gave to one of His creations.  This whole experience hasn't prepared me, but made me fearful of the time when Jade leaves our family...yikes!