Death Lose Your Sting
Not long ago, my five year old came to me in tears and when I asked her what was wrong she said, “I’m going to miss Grandpa when he goes to heaven.” (I will later discover this was sparked by her finding the book “What is Heaven Like” by Beverly Lewis tucked away on the shelf.) I can’t not answer; I don’t want to pretend that death isn’t a part of life. But, what do I do when she speaks the very fear that creeps in my heart? Do I try to be strong and pretend I’m not just as impacted by that same thought? Do I break down sobbing and not get up the rest of the day? What do I say when my girls ask me why God doesn’t give Grandpa his memories back or asks if God will give him His memory back when he is in heaven? How do I answer the very questions I’m asking God? Ugh! There is no instruction manual for this sort of thing. I mean, no instruction manual for parenting alone is so UGH! But, for this? Of course, it is my hope that Dad will be with us for many years; right now, he is