To Everything There Is A Season/Part 4

"And so I smurfed part of the day with Tapper, who smurfed me a fresh pot of smurfberry tea while Greedy smurfed me some muffins to eat, since I was feeling so hungry at that point," Smurfette said to Empath and Polaris. "It was then that Tapper helped me understand what I was smurfing through."

And as Smurfette continued her story, Empath and Polaris both saw her sitting inside the tavern at a table with Tapper, drinking a cup of smurfberry tea with some muffins on a plate next to her. Tapper simply sat back and watched Smurfette eat and drink to her heart's content, politely not saying anything until she was finished.

Brainy and Clumsy watched through a window as Smurfette ate and drank in the privacy of the tavern. "Gosh, I've never seen Smurfette this eager to eat or drink anything in her life," Clumsy said.

"She hasn't eaten for days, Clumsy, which is why she would need to smurf herself with food," Brainy said. "It's all part of the grieving process that she must smurf through if she's going to be living with us as a Smurf."

"But what's going to happen if we lose any of our fellow Smurfs?" Clumsy asked.

"We will continue to smurf on without them, as they would want us to smurf," Brainy answered. "It wouldn't smurf us any good if we keep smurfing onto them and just refuse to let them go."

"But I never want to let any of my friends go, Brainy, not even you," Clumsy said.

"I know what you mean, Clumsy, I really do," Brainy said, trying to sound as honest as he could with Clumsy.

"Uh, Brainy, I think we should be leaving those two alone," Clumsy said as he looked over his shoulder and saw Duncan McSmurf coming.

Brainy turned and also saw Duncan approaching, gulping in fear. "For once I agree with you," Brainy said as he and Clumsy both departed from outside the tavern.

When Smurfette was finished with her muffins, Tapper finally spoke. "I can see this is your first time dealing with the death of a loved one, my dear Smurfette. I don't envy what you're smurfing through, because I have smurfed through the same thing many times before with forest creatures that I have been friends with over the years."

"Tell me, Tapper, does this thing ever get easier over time?" Smurfette asked.

"Losing a loved one never gets easier, for every time it happens, it feels like a part of me has also died, Smurfette," Tapper answered. "The one thing that keeps me smurfing is the promise that the Almighty will make all things new when His only begotten Son returns to restore the beauty of this creation that has been tainted with the smurf of sin and evil."

"You mean I might get to see Squeaky return from the dead, Tapper?" Smurfette asked, her eyes flashed wide with curiosity.

"It's possible, though what we know of the Almighty resurrecting the dead is limited to mostly the human realm of the whole equation," Tapper answered. "But since all of creation belongs to the Almighty because it is His creation, it will also be redeemed from the curse that it has been smurfed under so that death will no longer have dominion over anything in it, including quite possibly us."

"That's why you're so eager to make sure every Smurf gets to know about the Almighty that you believe in," Smurfette said.

"Indeed, Smurfette, for the Almighty does not delight even in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked should smurf from his way and live," Tapper said. "There will be many souls that will rise on the day of judgment, only to find out that they will be condemned forever to a second death, separated from a God that loved them from the foundation of the world and has given them His Son to die for their sins and provide for them the gift of eversmurfing life."

Smurfette sighed. "I'm not sure that I'm ready to receive Him as my Lord and Savior yet, Tapper, but I feel that I'm ready to smurf on with my life knowing that Squeaky is gone from this life."

"He will always smurf on in your heart and your memories, my dear," Tapper said, briefly touching her to show his empathy. - And so with Papa Smurf standing beside her, Smurfette went to the memorial park to visit Squeaky's grave so she could share what she was feeling to her deceased pet. She brought a vase full of flowers that she laid near the tombstone.

"I still miss you, Squeaky, and I will always remember you," Smurfette said as she knelt down before her pet's grave. "But I have to smurf on with my life. I can only hope that you will rest in peace until we smurf again."

Papa Smurf wiped a tear from his eye as he stood and watched.

When the whole thing was over, Papa Smurf walked Smurfette back to her house. "I appreciate you smurfing with me during my visit to Squeaky's grave, Papa Smurf," Smurfette said with some honesty.

"You were a brave Smurf to say all that was in your heart to your friend, Smurfette," Papa Smurf said. "I'm sure that he has heard every word, and knows you mean well."

"It's going to be difficult living without him, but at least I know that I still have family here that cares for me," Smurfette said as they arrived at her door. "I'm going to need some time alone by myself. I promise that I won't leave the village like that ever again."

"Smurf as much time as you need, Smurfette," Papa Smurf said as he watched Smurfette go inside.

To be expanded on.