‘The funeral made a big impression’
Photography: Kee & Kee
Kirsten Schilder (39) is married to singer Nick Schilder and mother of Nikki (12), Julian (10) and Jackie (6).
“Is there a hamster heaven, Mom?” I’m just putting two bags of groceries on the counter when Jackie asks me this question. A hamster heaven? No idea. We don’t have a hamster, I never thought about that. ‘Cause Funky died.’ Ah, Funky, I’ve heard that name before. ‘And Marly is very sad. But if there’s hamster heaven, Funky’s happy, right? Among the other hamsters. Marly asks if I’m coming to the funeral. Funky will be buried in a small box.’
Flower for the funeral
Okay, this is a lot of information between cleaning up the groceries. When I come across a pack of biscuits, I tell Jackie I’ll make some tea and discuss it further with her. A little later we are sitting at the table, with tea and biscuits, and Funky is still the subject of conversation. ‘The funeral is tomorrow. Can I wear my beautiful dress or should I not?’ ‘Of course you can, maybe you want to buy a nice flower?’ I suggest. “Then we’ll go to the florist and you choose the most beautiful flower for Marly, because she’s so sad.” Jackie thinks that’s a good idea. We walk to the supermarket together. It is still quite difficult to choose, because flowers are so cheerful and the event is so sad.
Read also: Kirsten: “Jackie is having such a hard time that Nick and I are both gone, that it gives her a stomach ache”
Bye Funky
The next day is the funeral and two girls and Marly’s mother stand sadly in a circle around a cardboard box. In the box lies Funky, under a blanket of toilet paper, with a note and a flower. In the garden, the box disappears under the earth, and the previously picked dandelions are placed on top. Bye Funky. Lemonade is being drunk quietly in Marly’s kitchen. The funeral made an impression.
A few days later, Jackie comes home from school happy. She talks endlessly about Rosie, Marly’s new hamster. ‘Shall we visit, mom? Then we will get rusks with pink mice!
