When sharing death with children, one’s own mortality and beliefs come into play. I’ve been consoled by an elder, a mentor, a friend, Native American Elder i call Lolo Babe: Gramma did not go far. She still has a duty here with the family. She will talk with you at dawn. Just listen carefully. At the proper moment you will feel her go. Whisper Ina’lum’qotmi and allow her journey to begin. I have already said Ina’lum’qotmi. In your instance you have said, “You must go but you must take my heart with you.” Grandma, I have whispered Ina’lum’qotmi. read more from lolo babe’s stories @ http://www.haydutsila.com/2008/11/cuauhxihuitl-prayer.html

but ina’lum’qotmi sounds similar in pilipino, ina = mother, lungkot = sad, unhappy, mi (in spanish) = my. i shared this similarity between the languages with lolo babe. he listened, thought for a moment and then proceed to share another story about coyote, the trickster. forgive me as i am not as detailed in this storytelling as lolo babe but what i remember is that coyote was the cause for the different languages of the world today. in the beginning, there was one language that was spoken by all but coyote caused so much trouble that different languages came to be. i will have to check in with lolo babe about the details. to be continued…