Simon's Prayers and Norah's Questions

A while ago we told Simon that Grandpa was going to heaven soon, such unpleasant and unwelcome news for a 5 year old. He did not want that to happen. Simon prayed the following prayre for the last couple of weeks.

"Now I lay me down to sleep.
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
Angels guide me through the night.
And wake me with the morning light.
Dear God,
Please let Grandpa NOT go to heaven.
Amen."

Then glared at me, like I could will that to happen. I quietly said "Dear God, please let my heart not feel so sad. Amen". And he repeated me. "Then God and Grandpa will be in my heart" Simon declared on his own.

He wrote his prayer request on a slip of paper,"Dear God, please help Grandpa feel better." and put it in his prayer box.

We visited Grandpa on 12/31/2010. Norah was unsure and uncomfortable. She said "I want out of here. I want to go home". We visited in the facility for only a few brief minutes, where we said "Grandpa, we love you", blew kisses and offered winks.

Eric and the kids delivered brunch to Grandma at home on 1/1/11. Before Norah's coat was off, she spilled out with "Is Grandpa home from the hostipal?" How perceptive are the little ones. I asked how Grandma and Grandpa's was when they returned. Simon stated "It's just Grandma's house; Grandpa is not there."

Grandpa passed away 1/2/11. We told Simon after lunch. He slumped his shoulders right away. He didn't want to be hugged or near us. He said "but I wanted Grandpa to feel better and go home". He really did not understand or like our response that Grandpa is ALL better and at home in heaven with God. He quickly stomped to his room and we heard "Dear God, please help Grandpa feel better." He asked "is Grandpa was in my heart now?"

Later that afternoon I saw him throwing his prayer request in the garbage. I asked if he wanted to keep it, and he stated he was done with it. But he wanted to write a new prayer request. I asked what he wanted to write and he said "Dear God, please help my heart not feel so sad. Amen".

Later that evening he asked Eric "Can I talk to God on the phone?"

Eric discussed prayer and talking to God, but it is harder to hear his answers.

Simon has stated a few times since then that "I can tell Grandma that Grandpa is in her heart".

I am sure there will be more questions and conversations to come.

I took Norah on my lap and told her that Grandpa died and went to heaven.
Norah: He sleeping?
Me: No
Norah: He at duh hostipal?
Me: No
Norah: He at home?
Me: No
Norah: Where he is? (asked with emphasis)
Me: In heaven
Norah: Where dat?

And then we were back to playing and talking about whatever passed her fancy.

Later that evening Norah kept asking "Grandpa dying?" and "Grandpa dying off?"

Such sweet and sad comments from our children dealing with big emotions and abstract thoughts.

We now pray that our hearts and Grandma's heart do not feel so sad and that Grandpa is happy with God in heaven. While we are sad and missing Grandpa, we are grateful that Grandpa is rejoicing and praising God in heaven.