Let's Talk about Heaven

One of the things that I love most about being a mom is experiencing the world through my children. They say the funniest, craziest, sweetest, and thought-provoking things all in one day.  These past few years have obviously been difficult for our family.  Losing both of my parents in such a short amount of time, has forever changed me.  I thought for sure my parents would be a large part of my children's lives.  I struggled for a long time with the idea that my kids were robbed from truly having a relationship with two of the most amazing people I have ever known.  But after I had myself a small pity-party, I knew it was up to me to keep their memory alive.

Although both Stella and Briggs were upset and sad about dad's death, it was Briggs who really struggled with it.  I don't know if it was his age, or that Stella was old enough to remember Mimi passing and Briggs was so little, or if Briggs's bond with dad had grown so strong because of the extra time they were able to spend together after Mimi's passing.  But Briggs couldn't quite wrap his head around the fact that Papa wasn't coming back (although I think it took awhile for all of us).  During this time we talked about Heaven a lot.  What was Heaven?  Who was in Heaven?  Why we go to Heaven?  Briggs actually associates Heaven with the clouds in the sky, and almost every time it is cloudy, he will ask if that's where Mimi and Papa's house is :-)

Last week while at Little Lambs (think Sunday School for Catholic preschoolers, but on Wednesday mornings), Miss Jane was talking about praying and Heaven.  When she asked the group of children who was in Heaven helping to watch over them, Briggs's hand immediately shot in the air.  When she called on him, he confidently answered "my Mimi and Papa."  Although it was not the answer that Miss Jane was looking for, it was a little reminder to me that although Mimi and Papa are not physically with my children here on Earth, they will always be alive in their hearts.  

Chicken