Ada's first big loss

We already lost one of our stray-cats-turned-pets, and tonight, Ada found our other one dead in the driveway.  She walked up to me, as I was getting John out of the van, and she said, "is Sally asleep?  She won't answer me when I call her."  I took one look at Sally and knew that she was, clearly, not "asleep," but I just said, "let's go find daddy."  After Scott confirmed that Sally was, indeed, no longer living, we broke the news to Ada.  I think she already knew, but still, her little face just crumbled.  It broke my heart; it really did.  I just held her and she cried and cried, and asked some questions, and cried some more. 

Right now, she and Scott are out getting frozen yogurt just to cheer her up a bit.  She has already asked when we can get another pet, and the word puppy even came up--I don't think we're ready for that.  We might get another cat once we move into another house, but we'll see...

The worst part about all of this.  It's my fault.  When I was leaving to tutor today, I felt a "bump" when I was backing the van out of the driveway, but I then saw Sally run off, so I assumed it wasn't her after all, and that she was just running to get out of the way.  However, the last I saw of her, she had run under the tribute, and that is where Ada found her.  I confess that I did not tell Ada it was my fault.  I honestly don't think Ada could handle knowing that.  She was asking lots of questions about how she died, and I just kept saying, "I don't know..." I am sure one day I will tell her the truth.  It will be one of those stories when she's grown up, and she looks back, and it will all start to make sense ;) 

I had no love for that cat; in fact, it mostly just drove me crazy, but I do feel so sad for Ada.  I remember being a child and my cat dying, and I was so upset.  As a mom, I hate this first big sadness for Ada, though I know I can't shield her from these things...it's part of growing up, I know, and provides yet another opportunity for her to rely on God for comfort and grace...

Anyway, just wanted to share what is, for Ada, big news.  (John is clueless, by the way, couldn't care less).