Poor Mimsy's dead, poor little Mimsy's dead...

We heard from the five northern kiddos tonight, two adults and three little ones. Their little hermit crab named Mimsy met her maker earlier today.

She was survived by her three siblings, Little Analzyer, Little Free Spirit and Beautiful Blue Eyes in addition to her main keeper, their Mommy and her out-of-town father, spouse of her main keeper.

Since Little Free Spirit, just barely turned six, was the one most upset over her demise he assumed the responsibility for administering the last rites, etc. He decided Mimsy needed a proper remembrance, and casting aside his now Methodist/previous Presbyterian upbringing and relying upon his new found experience learned from attending his current all-day Catholic kindergarten program in school, (don't ask, it's too complicated!) he decided she needed the last rites performed and all the usual crossings of the heart, prayers and whatever else, he considered her properly sanctified, sainted or whatever it's called.

If Mimsy wasn't already dead before the funeral, she was by the time it was over. This was no soft sand pile she could dig out from under as in previous days. This was the real thing. Lots of heavy, hard dirt.

It fell upon the tiny shoulders of Beautiful Blue Eyes, age 2, in one of his self-appointed jobs of Undertaker(body preparer and overseer of said body); Coroner (exhumer and examiner, just keep reading!);and in his final role of Grave Digger, to dig the grave and shovel the dirt over her body which had been encased in a beautiful jewelry box. He performed his job in the manner as expected...He stood, manned with his shovel, first practicing by filling the freshly dug hole before the body was added, re-digging the hole again and again until perfection was obtained, and just as any curious little two-year old, once she was committed to the ground, he kept wanting to dig her up again. "Wanna see her! Wanna see her! She's dead...Wanna see her again, Wanna see Mimsy!"

Little Free Spirit, serving in his role as the miniature priest, tried hard to maintain order in the congregation, but Little Analyzer, age 8, was ready to get it over with. He has seen his share of pet funerals over the years. Many goldfish have come and gone in his lifetime. This was really no biggie. It was just a Hermit Crab after all, and all of his impatience was relayed by the rolling of his pretty blue eyes..."Hurry up, Little Free Spirit, I want to go shoot hoops with Michael!"

Then Little Analyzer interjected his real thoughts during this most reverent of moments. His dreams included a bigger pet. "Mom, can we get a dog next time?" An argument ensues, more tears flow from the little priest, and a fight is about to take place...Little Free Spirit just wants another Hermit Crab, Little Analyzer just wants to go shoot hoops. And Beautiful Blue Eyes just wants to dig a deeper hole.

Mommy was trying very hard to hold it together behind hands clinched over her mouth. She didn't want the little priest to see her laughter...I mean her tears of mourning, as she watched the hysterical...I mean, loving, caring, tender scene unfold from beside her boys.

The new little priest was becoming a bit annoyed with the rest of the family. "Brother, stop, we've got to bury her right!" He finally gained control over himself and the attendees long enough to finish the ceremony.

The service was over; Mimsy was properly committed to her final resting place, at last! Tomorrow may find her and her casket strewn across the backyard after Beautiful Blue Eyes once again exhumes her, but for the night she's resting in peace. Amen.

Mommy said it would have made for some good video if only Mom hadn't misplaced the cord for the camera. There'll be no re-makes...just memories. So don't dig her up again, Beautiful Blue Eyes!