In a bookcase in the office in Savannah, you’ll find all kinds of books, mostly on grief (which makes perfect sense given that it’s an office in a funeral home). The majority of those books are written for adults, but on one particular shelf there’s one particular book—one well-worn, slightly tattered book—that has gently explained death to children since 1982. Entitled “The Fall of Freddie the Leaf”, it tells the story of a friendship between Freddie and his friend Daniel, two leaves growing on the same branch of a tree in a park. Written by American author, motivational speaker, and professor Leo Buscaglia, the book takes a very tender approach to a difficult subject.
Although they are all the same age, Daniel seems to be so much wiser than the other leaves on the tree. To start with, he knows they’re all part of a tree . . . and the tree has roots no one can see. He tells them about the birds that perch on their branches and about the sun and the moon and all the seasons. Daniel basically explains Life to Freddie and the other leaves. And as summer fades to fall and winter begins to approach, Freddie watches as, one by one, his friends drift to the ground or, caught by the wind, disappear from his sight. Of course he has questions, but Daniel, in all his wisdom, reassures Freddie that what is coming is simply another part of Life—a part everything that lives will someday experience.
For years whenever a family with young children suffered a loss, my father would take that book from its place on the shelf in the bookcase in the office and gather those children on the stairs in the funeral home. The first time I ever saw him do it was at the old building on Main Street in Savannah. He invited the children to join him as he folded his lanky frame across the steps; as they all settled in, he opened the book you see here and began . . . “Spring had passed. So had Summer . . .” It was a ministry he continued after the business moved, still using the stairs as his stage. Still inviting any child who wanted to listen to join him there. I have no idea how many times he did that over the years, but I know a world of children benefited from that beautifully simple story, read to them in his soothing voice.
Although my father is no longer around to read “The Fall of Freddie the Leaf” that book is still available everywhere from Amazon and Books a Million to eBay and all the online used bookstores. Even Wal-Mart will ship one to you. And it still offers an explanation of Life and Death that children will understand without being taught to fear what is a natural part of our world—something that is so very important. Sometimes, no matter how well-meaning we are, we can feed their fears rather than calm them when they begin to ask the inevitable questions about Life and how it ends.
“The Fall of Freddie the Leaf” isn’t the only book out there that will help explain Death to a child, but it’s one of the best, and I encourage any family with young children—or grandchildren—to own a copy. You don’t have to read it to them immediately. You may never have to read it to them. But when those questions do arise or, worse yet, Death steals someone they love, you’ll be prepared.
About the author: Lisa Shackelford Thomas is a fourth-generation member of a family that’s been in funeral service since 1926 and has worked with Shackelford Funeral Directors in Savannah, Tennessee for over 45 years. Any opinions expressed here are hers and hers alone and may or may not reflect the opinions of other Shackelford family members or staff.
