Ethereal Land: When goodbye isn't enough

Seth is five years old. He lives with his Grandpapa, Chard in a place called Ethereal Land. Chard is a Credente and tells Seth they will one day live in another place; a place called 'The Real World'. One day Seth pulled at his Grandpapa's sleeve and asked, "Grandpapa, what is 'Real'?" "Real is for always," replied Chard. "If something isn't for always, why then it's just not Real." Then Chard placed a strong work-worn hand over Seth's heart as if to place something important there. Seth tilted his head and looked up at his Grandpapa with confused eyes. Would he ever understand? What is 'Real'? This book was written for all the boys and girls who have ever lost anyone or anything. And for all the parents whose hearts have been heavy with the longing to help their children cope with the enormity of the death of a loved one. This is for all the grownups who have said, "Eat everything on your plate," when the real words hovering in the air are, "My child, I ache for you and your future ." This story is about communicating to children about the real things of life - the lasting, so that while we are concerned with what they are doing; we don't lose sight of who they are becoming. It is for all the times when goodbye isn't enough. It is about 'other'.