Goodbye to Rupert

Last night Rupert died. Rupert is (or rather was) the children's pet hamster. Have you ever tried to explain death to an 11 year old and 9 year old? It was heartbreaking. My son sobbed himself to sleep. He was the one that discovered Rupert in the cage. Today Rupert will be buried, the children are discussing the best place, whether it should be under the rose bush, near the house, away from the house? They are dealing with it, and life will go on. But Rupert will be remembered. He may only have been a hamster - but he was still part of the family.