A talk about heaven

As you all know, we lost a dear little friend last week. In an effort to help my kids, especially Becca, with this loss and even with losses of family members in the past, we have talked often about heaven and death. Have you tried to explain this concept, one that is difficult for adults, to a child? It isn't easy. How do you put something so complex and untangible into terms a child can understand? I have always tried to keep it simple, the person has died, their body quit working, and God took their heart and soul, their best parts, to Heaven to be with him. When I had to tell Becca that our friend had went to heaven, it was her consoling me! I am crying and trying to get the words out and Becca tells me that it was okay, that now Kendra isn't hurting anymore and that she gets to be with God. As hard as Kendra's wake was, I cried heartily in pain for my friend and her family, for the grief they are suffering, Becca didn't cry, she kept telling me that now Kendra is with God. Today we were talking a little more on our drive home and I just have to share the image that we came up with. I told Becca that Kendra was in heaven, looking down at us, she wanted to know from which cloud, where should she look to see Kendra? I said that noone knows where heaven is, it is just there, waiting for us. We then started talking about what Kendra was doing in heaven, running and playing, no more tubies, no more owie tummies, lots of energy and no pain. Becca then again talked of her friend being on the clouds, playing, so I asked her if she thought Kendra was bouncing from cloud to cloud like Becca jumps from cushion to cushion on my couch? Becca replied that yep, Kendra was bouncing across the clouds, and if she fell off, she could use her angel wings to catch her and fly back up to the clouds.



I just love this image, our little friend using her wings to keep her safe as she bounces happily from one cloud to the next, no pain and unending energy. While the grief is still present for those left on Earth, Kendra is in heaven and forever healed. We also talked about how when Becca is a little old lady and it is her turn to go to heaven, Kendra will be waiting to play with her. Becca right away chimed in, "oh I will definately play with her Mom, lots and lots. That will be fun!" Out of the mouth of babes, right?