“Good morning sweetie” Sierra greeted Anna. ” I have a special surprise for you today.”

“What?” asked Anna in excitement.

After Grandma Annabelle’s death, Anna created an imaginary friend, Grandma Annabelle. Sierra became very concerned about Anna’s behavior and decided to take her to a psychiatrist, Dr. Roberts. He was well known for helping out patients that had a hard time dealing with death.

Although Anna was seeing Dr. Roberts regularly. She continued to talk to her imaginary friend. Sierra decided it was time for Anna to visit her grandmothers grave. She was hoping that would help Anna realize her grandma was no longer with us.

When Annabelle died, Sierra thought it would be best if Anna did not go to the funeral or the burial because she thought that Anna was too young. She wasn’t sure how Anna would react to the situation.

“We’re going to visit grandmas grave today. Can you believe its been a year since she has past?” Sierra said.

Anna just nodded in response to her mother.

Sierra was driving through St. Mary’s Cemetery trying to remember which turn to take. Anna yelled, ” Grandmas over there, turn here.” 

Sierra realized that yes this is the turn, at the end of this drive is where grandma is buried. As Sierra finished parking the car, Anna ran to Annabelle’s grave, as if she knew right where it was.

Sierra approached Anna, just in time to hear Anna speaking to dead air. ” I can’t wait” said Anna.

“Wait for what?” replied Sierra.

“Oh, nothing.” Anna said.

Sierra just shrugged her shoulders, knowing that she was speaking with her imaginary friend. Sierra then knelt down placing flowers upon the grave. As her tears began to fall, she prayed ” I miss you mom.”

Anna stared at her mother in confusion. “Mommy, how can you miss someone if their always here?”

“Although grandma is still with us, in our hearts, its ok to miss her.” stated Sierra.

When they arrived at home Sierra told Anna to go play in her room while she got their lunch ready.

“Anna” called Sierra.

Anna did not reply.

“Anna, come down for lunch.”

Still no reply from Anna.

Sierra went upstairs and quietly peeked into Anna’s room. She saw Anna having a tea party and speaking with someone.

“Who are you talking to?” Asked Sierra.

“Grandma is having a tea party with me.” replied Anna.

“Its time for lunch, come down and eat.” Sierra said.

Anna went downstairs as Sierra stood there looking into her room with confusion, wishing that she could understand Anna’s behavior. Sierra went down and began eating her lunch with Anna.

“Aren’t you going to fix a plate for grandma?” Asked Anna.

“This needs to stop Anna.” Scolded Sierra.

“But….” Anna started to say, but Sierra interrupted her. “But nothing. Eat your lunch.”

They continued to eat their lunch in silence.

Over the next few weeks Sierra refused to talk to Anna about her imaginary friend. She thought that if she didn’t allow her to speak to her friend that it would eventually stop. But Anna became very sad and seemed very lonely. Sierra discussed this with Dr. Roberts. Dr. Roberts reassured Sierra that this is quite normal, and she should not worry. Eventually Anna will grow out of this behavior, but needs to do it on her own. He told her that it is just her way of dealing with her grandmothers death.

Sierra began to try and understand Anna’s behavior. Sierra spoke with Anna more often about her friend in which seemed to help her not be so sad.

“Don’t forget to say good night to grandma” said Anna.

Sierra smiled. “OK sweetie. Goodnight to you, and goodnight grandma.”

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