There's been a lot of death around here... :( In a span of a week, my sons AND their two closest friends all lost a great-grandparent! It can be tough explaining "death" to kids - my husband and I are of the mind that we won't block our kids from knowing when someone close to us dies. Though they are only 7 and 4, they've already gone through the loss of their infant cousin, Julia, two years ago, and Great Annie - my aunt - who had lived with my family for over 20 years and was like a 2nd mother to me...She died on January 1st, 2006, and our oldest son, Jack, was almost 5. I'll never forget our conversation the morning after... when I had to tell him that Great Annie had died:
Mom: Remember how I went to the hospital with Great Annie last night?
Jack: Yeah - is she sick?
Mom: Well... she died, honey.
Jack: (yells) THAT'S FANTASTIC!!!!!!!
Mom: What?
Jack: (still hollering) SHE GOT TO GO TO GOD'S BIG PARTY?!
Mom: (now ready to cry at this excited display of emotion) Well... yes... she went to Heaven to be at God's big party.
I then explained that the little hospital she was at had air-lifted her by helicopter to the big UC Hospital...
(please forgive the all-caps... but he really was yelling...) :)
Jack: (now clapping too) WHAT A GREAT DAY FOR HER!! SHE GOT TO RIDE IN A HELICOPTER AND GO TO GOD'S PARTY ALL IN THE SAME DAY?!? WOW!
Isn't that just amazing?! Here I was with this jagged grief-hole in my heart, and my son was giddy... jubilant... ecstatic that Great Annie had not only gone to Heaven to be with Jesus... but had ridden in a helicopter to get there!!
And, isn't that how we all should be when a loved one dies...? When we know that they have flown off to Heaven to the biggest and best party in the universe hosted by God, Almighty, himself?! I try to hold onto my son's words when I hear of someone's passing... because out of the mouth of a child came true wisdom that day. I have no doubt that God gave those words to my son... to help lessen my grief and to show me that in death, there IS eternal life.
Amen!
If this blog has touched your heart, please leave a comment below... it makes me feel like someone is reading it!! THX! :) - Mags
5 comments:
Mags, your blog is awesome! Each segment has something to inspire or motivate your readers to look for God in their own lives each and every day. Thanks for sharing your heart with all of us. Sharlotte
Thanks for sharing! I lost my step dad to brain cancer in November. As Jack was getting closer and closer to leaving us, I knew that it was time to tell my 5 yr old a little of what was going on. So I said one day, "Deklan, you know that Jack is really sick, right." - "Yeah". - "Well, soon he is going to go up to Heaven to live with Jesus". - silence as Deklan just stares out the car window. I expect any number of questions next, but he is just quiet as he thinks. Then a minute later, he asks - "Can I watch him rise up?" _ "What honey???" - "When he goes to Heaven, can I come and watch him rise up?" It just touched me so much. My 2 yr old talks about him all the time - she'll just pop up out of the blue and say things like "I miss my Jack Jack" Kids are just so in touch, whether we realize it or not!
- Tia
That was one of the cutest things I have ever read. I think that's why the scriptures talk about becoming like a child. They have such faith and such an uncomplicated view of life. "Out of the mouths of babes" for sure! It does help me to think of death as more of a graduation. They are just progressing to another phase of their existence. We lived before we came here; we will live after we leave here. Death is still hard because we miss our loved ones so much after they are gone, but we shouldn't feel sorry for them. I'm sure they are having a marvelous time! I can't wait to see those who have gone on before me, but for now, I will just try to make the best of living in this world. Thanks, Mags, for sharing.
One of my good friends lost her Grandpa today, and I shared Jack's cute comments with her. I hope you don't mind :)
I loved the comment then, I am still inspired by it now!
You are amazing!!!
Annie T
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