A conversation

MOM:

"Ben and Emme, what happens to people when they die?"

BE:

"They go to heaven to be with Jesus"

MOM:

"That's right, who else do they see"

BE

"All the people who died before them"

MOM

"Guess who got to go see Jesus and all the people they love that are already in heaven?

"Nana"

B

"But I didn't give her the walking stick I made?"

MOM

"You know what is so cool, she doesn't need one anymore. She can walk and run and play tennis and golf now"

B

"Does she bleed in heaven?"

MOM

"No, and she doesn't feel any pain anymore"

B

"What about when she falls?"

MOM

"No, no pain and no falling anymore"

BE

"Why is Dad-O crying?"

MOM:

"Because we are sad that we don't get to see her anymore"

{cue Emme crawling onto Dad-O's lap to stroke his neck}

Dad-O: 

"Because Nana was my Mimi"

B:

"Is everyone sad?

MOM:

"Yes, you will probably see Papa and MiMi cry too. Nana was Papa's Mommy. But we are happy that Nana gets to be with Parker, her husband. Ben, you probably don't remember him, he went to heaven when you were very little."

E:

Is that where my middle name came from?"

MOM:

"Yes, baby"

B:

"Are they sad like when I broke my flip flop last night?"

MOM:

"It's a different kind of sad, but yes, they will be crying"

BE:

Can we talk to Nana again?

MOM:

"Yes, just like when you talk to Jesus. It's just like praying. You can talk to her anytime you want. She will listen but she won't talk back to you."

BE:

"Like talking on the telephone?

MOM:

"Yes, but you won't hear her voice talking back"

BE:

"Will Nana come back as a little kid?"

MOM:

"I don't believe that she will, but some people believe that. I believe she will stay in heaven. But, when you get older, you can decide what you believe."

E:

"I'm not sad that she died"

MOM:

Why aren't you sad?

E:

"Because I am happy she is heaven"