On Death

Yesterday evening, Đạo and I had a short conversation on death. He asked, “Daddy, why does everyone die?” I replied, “Well, it’s the cycle of life. You live and you die when you get old.” He went on, “I am going to miss you when you die.” I saw some redness in his eyes. I gave him a hug and said, “That’s why we need to spend as much time together as we can so when I die you won’t miss me so much.” He interrupted, “I have a picture of you.” I smiled, “Yes, and memories of me.” He continued, “But mommy will die first because she is older.” I replied, “Well, I don’t know about that. She is way healthier than me.”