"I don't like dead"

Mike's sister and her family lost a beloved dog a few years ago. Her eldest son was probably about five or so, and I remember her telling us that he and his father were out for a walk some time after Sarah had died, and he turned to his father and said, "I don't like dead."

I've just found out that a friend and colleague of mine died the day before yesterday. We were supposed to get together for tea and a chat a few weeks ago, but my children and I were all fighting off a virus, and I didn't want to expose her to it, given her weakened immune system. After that, I got caught up in the diagnosis of a fatal disease in our kitten, and the whirl of caring for him and dealing with his death. We kept emailing, but we never did get to make up our tea date.

I know that it's a selfish reaction - my friend had faith, and had been sick for quite a long while, but right now, I have to say that my nephew summed it up really well for me. I've lost my kitten, and a friend, and at this moment, I don't like dead.