Connection Made

Anders has entered a phase where he has recently become very concerned about dying. It rose to the surface last week and it has been extremely upsetting to him. At times he has been perseverating over it, and making himself an anxious wreck because he "just can't stop thinking about it." He's been asking questions like, will it hurt, will he be lonely, is it scary, when is his next birthday because he doesn't want to grow any older and get any closer to dying, etc. At first we couldn't figure out where his fear came from, it felt so out of the blue. Yet it is a very serious concern for him right now. We have been talking to him and talking to others to get some advice about how to talk to him about death. and ease some of his fear. Yesterday when talking to him, as Anna was trying to figure out what might have been the catalyst for his fear, he was able to articulate that it started when he was lying on the floor, on his back, being really quiet and still, and it made him think about being dead.
It took me awhile, but tonight I think I made the connection.
Anders has been going to an art class at the local museum and for the first two visits the kids have been fascinated with the mummy in the museum's collection. The mummy is lying on it's back, still and quiet. These fears began after the kids spent some real time last Wednesday focused on this mummy. The mummy is not much bigger than Anders. I can totally see how he would feel a connection to this ancient dead mummified body after lying still on the floor in the exact same position.
Not that it makes it any easier explaining and talking to him about this complex and mysterious aspect of life. It makes it even more difficult when you are not a member of an organized religion that certainly can direct conversation about what happens after life. Being a mom is seriously intricate. Piecing together tons of fast moving bits of information to guide you in this often mysterious journey of raising and attending to the emotional needs of your children.
Oh, to be so blessed!