A Vigil for Jade

About a week ago, one of Molly's favorite elephants at the zoo -- the two year-old Jade -- was diagnosed with elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV). This is a very serious virus for elephants -- most of them who contract it die soon after contracting it. And reports of Jade's illness were all over the local news.

Aaron looked at me and said, "We have to tell Molly."

I knew he was right. Molly was bound to see this sooner or later. Or, if Jade were to *gulp* pass on, and we didn't tell Molly, our next trip to the zoo would NOT be pleasant.

So, we told Molly as we were getting ready for bed that Jade was sick. She has a really bad cold and the doctors at the zoo have her in the elephant hospital and are taking really good care of her.

Her lip quivered. "Is she going to die?"

"We don't know, sweetie. But the doctors are doing everything they can for her."

With that, she searched through her pile of stuffed elephants to find her Jade -- and has been carrying her around ever since.

The next morning, Molly announced (as she was giving Stuffed Jade her medicine), "I want to make a card for Jade. And send it to her at the elephant hospital."

"That's a great idea, sweetheart."

So, that afternoon after school, this is what she created:

On the inside, this is what Molly dictated that I write:

Dear Jade,

How are you feeling? I want to come see you in summer so I hope you feel better soon. I have a stuffed elephant named Jade, after you - and I'm taking care of her just like your doctors are taking care of you.

I love you!

Love, Molly

And she also taped inside the card a picture of her from last Halloween in her elephant costume.

So we're saying a nightly prayer for Jade - a plucky, tough little elephant who is loved very much by a plucky, tough little girl.