RIP Simon

This morning I went into James' room to wake him up and saw Simon floating belly up.  I had to tell James and he was heartbroken.  We got Simon last October because James was begging for a fish tank. We thought it would be a good way for him to learn responsibility.

He loved Simon.  He would read to Simon at night.  He sang to him all the time.  You could hear James often just talking to Simon about everything.  So to have to bury Simon at sea was tough.  He cried, but he was trying not too.  He said that Simon was the best fish ever.

James then asked if he had to go to daycare today.  Luckily due to a strike, daycare was closed so he got to stay home with me.  He got dressed in blue clothes because that was how he felt today.  He asked me if I could cross stitch a picture of Simon for his wall.  I said I would and hopped online to find a pattern.  James will help me pick the colors so that they match Simon's.

We went to the Market and got the stuff to make pickles.  He kept talking about Simon and how GQ was now watching him at the Rainbow Bridge.  He then asked if he could maybe get another betta fish this weekend.

Later today we were sitting in the living room and he asked if we could go look at fish because his room seemed empty.  So off we went to Petsmart.  He looked at all sorts of fish, but decided on a female betta.  We got new rocks and a new decoration for the tank as well.  We got it all set up and are now just waiting for the water to reach room temperature before we put her in the tank.

He is trying to decide on her name.  A few of the choices are Simone, Belle, or Dream Drop.  He sat in his room and told her all about Simon and what a great fish he was.  He then told her about himself and the other animals.

Today was a tough day, but he got through it.  I was so touched by how much he truly loved Simon and how he is working through his grief.  He made me cry several times today by what he has said or done.  Simon will be missed, but we welcome our new betta with open arms.