Abby was understandably curious and concerned about my reaction to Robin's phone call the other afternoon. Once off the phone I explained to her that I was sad because Robin's Mom had passed away.
"Well," she replied, "it isn't sad for me."
And I smiled a little smile through my tears because the honesty of kids is funny. Some times.
"Yes, you're right." I had to agree. "You didn't know Robin's Mom very well, but you know Robin right? And we love Robin, right?" Abby nodded in agreement. "Well Robin is sad and that makes Mommy sad."
She seemed okay with my somewhat simplistic attempt to teach her empathy so I left it at that. Later that night in bed we said our prayers asking for special prayers for Robin, her family and her Mom. "Is Robin still sad or is she happy?" Abby wondered.
"I think she's going to be sad for a while, honey."
"But I want her to be happy again." Ahh if it were only that easy. Not surprisingly the last couple of days have been filled with questions from Abby. I have tried to answer her as honestly as I can while still keeping it age appropriate. Tonight on our way to Robin's house we talked about how she should act when she saw Robin, what she could say to Robin and so on.
Abby mulled all this over and then asked, "Is Robin's Mom in heaven?"
"Yes, she is," I answered.
"How do you get to heaven?" Abby wanted to know.
"I really don't know, honey."
"I know how," Abby offered.
"How?"
"You lie down and you're dead. Then a cloud comes down from the sky and takes you to heaven."
I'm not sure that's how it happens, but I kind of hope she's right.
Sylvia, have a safe trip.
2 comments:
ahhh..that is the sweetest!!
"as if"....that is the best way!!
shan...when i was a little girl, i used to believe that those intense sunbeams you often see were there to bring someone up to heaven...children's perceptions are so wrapped up in a special beauty!
may all you hearts be comforted..especially in such sweet words
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