Calvin's Mom & Dad
some of you may know my father passed away recently (3 Feb 2009). we are all doing our best to find strength in one another and rather than mourning his death, we have chosen to celebrate his life.
after my dad died, i was trying to figure out what to tell the kids exactly. i thought about what to say, how to say it and when to say it until i just said it. it went like this and if i do say so myself, it went smoother than i could have asked.
Daddy (D): Grady & Cyrus I want to have a talk with the two of you about something very important.
Grady & Cyrus (G&C): what daddy?
D: you know that grandpa has been sick and not feeling well lately, right?
G&C: yeah.
D: well grandpa died and went to heaven to live with God. do you know where heaven is?
G&C: in the sky.
D: yes, heaven is in the sky and is very faraway. It's further than the clouds.
C: is it further than where the airplanes fly?
D: yes Cyrus it is further away than where the airplanes fly. it's further than the moon, too.
C: and the stars daddy?
D: yes Grady, it's further than the stars too.
C: is it further than where E.T. lives?
D: yes cyrus, it is further than where E.T. lives. heaven is as far away as possible, but really close to home too, because heaven lives in your heart, too and all of the people that go to heaven live in our hearts.
G:why did grandpa die?
D: because grandpa was sick and tired and everyone dies some day. but grandpa now lives in heaven with GOD and he will surely tell GOD that he has the best grandkids in the world and to make sure that he has extra angels looking out for them. also, when you die some day, you will have friends and angels that you already know in heaven.
G&C:okay. can we have a snack?
D: sure you can have a snack. let's have a snack for grandpa because he really loved snacks.
C: cool
I couldn't have written a better script and the kids really helped to cheer me up and make me feel better. thank goodness for their perspective.
cw
