What Happens When...

Yesterday, while Eli was taking his nightly bath, we talked about what a good swimmer he was and I told him he might even be able to become a teenage life guard like the kids we see in Fire Island. He was excited and happy, full of strength and pride after a long weekend of swimming, diving, jumping in an amazing pool.

Then I left for a few minutes to get his towel and I heard a whimpering, crying voice coming from the bathroom.

- Mommy, mommy, MOMMY!

I walk in, there are tears in his eyes and he seems fearful, like a sad little wet puppy.

- What happened?
- Mommy, I just thought  about this. What happens when you die? Where do you go? How do you feel? I don't like it. I can't stop thinking about it and I don't like it.
- Why did you think about this? Two minutes ago we were talking about swimming. Did you think about your grandparents? That they are really old?
- No. Remember when you told me about the stars that die when I was little? That's when I first thought about people dying and I don't like it. And you told me I could be a lifeguard when I was 16, I all of a sudden thought when I am 60 you and Daddy won't be around anymore. 
 - You shouldn't think about this, we are here now and this won't be for a long long time.
- I just hope that by the time I am a grown up there is a cure.
 - A cure for death?
- Yes, mommy.  I don't even want bad people to die, I just want them to go away. Unless they are really really bad. Like murderers.

Then he seemed relieved by a new thought.

- Maybe when I am 50 and Daddy is 92, I will feel better and won't worry as much.

Then Google showed us what happens when stars die, which made us both feel better because it looks amazing and far away: