Musings on life and death

My friend’s 4-year-old daughter has leukemia. Despite limited understanding of medical technicalities, she coped with her illness.  She was initially terrified of nurses and doctors, but realized that they were trying to help her, and got braver!

Her parents explained to her the meaning of life and the reality of death. They told her that, while her body was temporary, the soul inside her will live forever. So, she shouldn’t fear death.

A patient learns many truths: We can’t control time, the laws of karma, and death. We have to eat healthy, accept pain as it comes, and focus on God’s love.

Our friend’s daughter went through chemotherapy, and her cancer is in remission.  She’s happy and at peace. She’s unlike the 4-year-old boy we saw at a supermarket, telling his grandpa to buy him a toy truck. He was throwing a tantrum, and his grandpa didn’t know how to deal with him!

Children need to learn important lessons in life. It’s never too early to teach them wisdom. Let’s not make them ignorant by thinking that they wouldn’t understand!