My 4-year-old asked me out of the blue today, “Mommy, is there TV in heaven?”
My first thought was, “I’m sure Daddy is hoping so.”
Instead, I answered, “I don’t know, Bud. I’ve never been to heaven.”
My son looked at me curiously and asked, “How about food and drinks? Do they
have those in heaven?”
Again, I said, “I don’t know. I haven’t been there … Why do you ask?”
“I was just wondering,” my little guy said.
I knew where this was coming from.
Last night, my friend and her husband dropped their two boys off at our house
so they could go to the viewing of their 43-year-old sister-in-law, who lost her
life to cancer last week. While we were eating dinner, my friend’s 5-year-old son
suddenly said, “My aunt died.”
“I know she did, Buddy,” I said softly. “I’m sorry.”
“Why are you sorry?” he asked. “You didn’t kill her.”
“I know,” I explained, “but I’m sorry she died.”
At this point, my own children asked what we were talking about.
I told them that their friends’ aunt went to live in Heaven with Jesus.
“Her is watching over me,” their little friend said with a smile.
“Yes, she is,” I assured him.
The children talked about all of the people their aunt would be watching over,
including Santa Claus. Their innocence was adorable … Their lack of ability
to understand why this happened matched my own. This woman leaves behind her
husband and five children, ages 9, 9, 7, 4, and 3.
I attended the funeral this morning and wiped my eyes as I watched the
family follow the casket up the church aisle, led by the husband, who held
his 3-year-old daughter in his arms. Heartbreaking.
The entrance hymn was “All I Ask of You,” with the lyrics saying, “All I ask of
of you is forever to remember me as loving you…” As I sat through the mass, I
couldn’t help but wonder how my husband and children would remember me if I should
die early. I would hope they knew that they were my whole world, and I would want
my children to be able to say, “Mommy made everything fun.”
This afternoon, I couldn’t stop hugging my kids. I played with them; laughed with
them; sang with them. I jumped on a trampoline with them. I painted my daughter’s
fingernails and read her a book while they dried. I giggled with my boys about silly
things.
Yesterday I posted my concerns about keeping my kids busy all summer. No more panic.
Just fun. Laughter. Joy. Songs. Memories.
Will our summer be free of getting-on-each-others-nerves-ness? Absolutely not.
But will I keep things in perspective and continue to count my blessings? Absolutely.
This summer is for you, Debi and Bob, Kristen and Larry.
God bless.
The World of Author/Mom Alicia Murphy! 
Beautiful entry today Alicia. Made me tear up and thank you for this perspective. So sad. I can’t understand these things. I know that entrance hymn well. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for reading, Jen. Sorry it was sad, but glad you enjoyed …
Thank you Alicia