The other day we made blueberry muffins. The girls saw we had strawberries and wanted to add some to the batter.
I began getting out the other ingredients and turned to see Natalie cutting up the strawberries. She even used a plastic little girl knife knowing I wouldn’t approve of her using a real one.
She is a happy little worker.
And getting so mature as represented in the following story:
Ainsley’s preschool teacher passed away suddenly two weeks ago from a brain aneurysm. This dear sweet woman also taught Natalie her first year of preschool. Ainsley is oblivious to what death means so wasn’t upset by it. I purposefully didn’t tell Natalie because she remembers Miss Linda and I didn’t want to upset her. She rarely sees her and I figured out of sight out of mind.
The other day I heard the girls in the car talking.
Ainsley: Miss Linda got very sick and now she is up in heaven.
Natalie: That’s not true, Ainsley!
Ainsley: Yes it is.
Natalie: We better tell mommy. Mommy, is Miss Linda really up in heaven?
Me: Yes, sweetie. I’m so sorry. Miss Linda got very sick this week and… and…. and went up to heaven.
Natalie: NOOOOOOO! I don’t want Miss Linda to be up in heaven.
Me: I know, sweet pea. I’m so sorry. It is very sad. But Miss Linda can see her daddy now. Remember he’s in heaven too.
Natalie: I want to go to heaven right now.
Pause as mommy tries to think of something useful to say.
Natalie: Mommy, did Miss Linda take her head with her to heaven?
Me: Um, well, her body is here, but her spirit went to heaven. And her spirit has a head. (this started a conversation on body vs. spirit… how in the world do you explain that to a 5 and 3 year old? Mom, any advice here?)
Natalie: Did she take her eyes?
Me, puzzled: Yes, baby, she took her eyes.
Natalie: I want to take my eyes ’cause I want to see Jesus!
(c) 2016 Leighann Marquiss
Comments (5)
Very sad about your kids preschool teacher! Not sure if this would help….Have your kids ever seen the Lion King movie? Simba talks to his Dad’s (Mufasa) spirit (made of clouds and stars) up in the sky at the end of the movie. It might help a child understand the difference between a person’s body here on earth and a spirit that goes to heaven.
Love how Natalie wants to have her eyes to see Jesus…out of the mouths of babes!!
Bless her heart, I bet that comment made Jesus smile really big too!
I’m so sorry to hear about the kids preschool teacher! I agree with Wendy about the Lion King movie, it might help with the age thing. My friend told me a similar story (I don’t remember all the details but it was something like wanting to see Jesus here right now), the little girl asked her parents about Jesus and ended up saying “I want Jesus with skin!” Can’t wait for the day when we can go to Heaven! :o)
WOW…I’m so sorry about Ms. Linda, I had no idea, its been so long since we have visted preschool, I almost want to tell Kaleigh since she loved Ms. Linda but since we haven’t seen her in a long time, I may just wait…how amazing is she that she is putting this all together, what a great thought about her eyes..love children’s innocense.
wow! isn’t it so neat to see how their brains are working??