(front door opens)

Little Miss Thing, age 7: “Dad, I found something walking home from the bus today.”

Me: “Yes, what’s that dear?”

LMT: “I found this.” (shoves leaf-wrapped and very dead mouse within inches of my face)

Me: “Oh my…”

LMT: “It was on the front porch. Last week we found a dead bird.”

Me: “Yeah, things die. We only live for a while, and animals live even shorter lives.”

LMT: (heavy sigh)

LMT: “We buried the bird in the yard, so I’m going to go bury the mouse, too.”

Me: “OK. If that’s what you want.”

LMT: “I think that’s what she would want.”

LMT: (walks out somberly)

Me: (to myself) “It doesn’t get any easier, kiddo.”