Death of a father

by Lulu
(WA)

Hi there,
My name is Vanessa and I am a single mom. I was with my daughter father for 5 years, ages 19-24. I have a beautiful, amazing 4 year old who is my everything. I left him when my daughter was 1, but he continued to be in our lives in and out and lived with us up to 3 months of him being killed. Don't get me wrong he mostly wasn't there and my family helped me raise her, but I feel he did the best he could under the circumstances. He had gotten real deep into drugs. Which eventually resulted in his death. My daughter has been asking questions for about a year now, but more recently really wanting some real answers. She's sick, and just last night was laying next to me, turned to me and said "I want my dad".

I have always been completely honest with her, age appropriate of course, and never talked bad about him, only good. Her lip was quivering and she was genuinely sad. It broke my heart to pieces and once again had to explain daddy lives in the stars and always in your heart, And he watches you and loves you. I have told her he died. She is very smart and to a certain extent I think she understands it. My question is, how can I better deal with these questions? She was 2 when he passed, so young. How much should I tell her? I just need any advice that pops in your head. Thank you so much!