"Look Mommy, There's Heaven!"

Recently my Great Grandma passed away.  This was Claire’s first experience with death.  I chose not to take her to the visitation or funeral, but we did talk about the fact that she passed away in her sleep and went to Heaven.  We talked about how Heaven is a wonderful place where everyone is happy and healthy, and all our loved ones that have passed away are there. 

“Where is Heaven?” Claire wanted to know?

 I simply answered that Heaven is far away in the sky, and it’s so far away that once we go there we can’t come back home. 

Claire seemed to grasp the idea as much as youngster can and didn’t talk much about the topic until last night.  We were driving to the field to meet everyone for a wonderful dinner my mother in law had made for us.  The field wasn’t far from home.  It was on a dirt road and we were enjoying our time driving there.  The sunset was beautiful; much more vibrant than normal.  Like normal Claire was telling me about how excited she was to see everyone in the fields, but then she said something that surprised me. 

She was looking at the sunset and remarked, “Look how pretty that is Mommy!  That must be where Heaven is!  I want to go there when I get older someday.”

With a big smile on my face and tears in my eyes I told her that yes, it was beautiful!  And I bet she is right; that is Heaven.   I told Claire that I hope she doesn’t go there for a long time because I would miss her. 

“Ok Mommy.  I’ll stay here with you,” Claire softly responded.

Oh, she makes me smile inside and out!