IN MY HEART

This morning after I dropped Parker off at school, Faith and I went for our usual morning drive. You see, Parker likes to be at school EARLY...which gives Faith and me any where from 10-15 minutes before she needs to be at school. So we drive around town...and we "chit-chat" (that's what she tells her daddy).

Anyway, this morning we drove past my parent's church and the church that I grew up in. Faith asked me, "Mommy...why do we go to church, anyway."

Okay...how do I make this simple enough for her to understand?

"Well, Faith. We go to church to be with people who strengthen our relationship with God and Jesus. We go there to learn about God and Jesus and how much they love us...no matter what."

It was early, folks. My brain wasn't prepared for this kind of discussion so I did the best I could.

I also told her that I wanted her to understand her relationship with God and Jesus earlier in life than what I did and that God and Jesus are always with her and in her heart.

Then she said, "Great-Grandma will always be in my heart, too!"

Scott's grandmother passed away about a year and a half ago. Faithy so enjoyed her Great-Grandma. We didn't get into the cities to see her as often as we would have liked to, but when we did, Faith would always greet Great-Grandma with a kiss and walk right next to her when we would push Great-Grandma in the wheelchair. There were times we would be strolling along and Faith would walk very slowly next to the chair and hold Great-Grandma's hand. She never left Great-Grandma without another kiss and an "I love you!"

I said, "Do you miss Great-Grandma?"

"Yes."

"Do you remember getting to see Great-Grandma the night before she went to be with Jesus?"

"Yes."

*pause*

"Hey, mom?"

"Yes, Faith?"

"Remember the picture of Dora the Explorer I colored for Great-Grandma and she hung it up on the wall in her room?"

"Yes."

"I wonder what happened to that picture?"

"I don't know, Faithy."

"Yeah...maybe they took it down."

"Yeah...maybe."

I've been thinking about this conversation throughout the morning and it's making my eyes warm and moist. As I was emptying the dishwasher I was thinking how my grandparents passed on early in my life, except my grandmother who lived until I was in my mid-20s. I never even thought what it would be like to have a great-grandparent. But Parker and Faith knew what it was like and Faithy especially really took it to heart. She talks about Great-Grandma quite often, usually when it's least expected...like this morning.

It warms my heart that thinking of Great-Grandma makes Faithy think of God and Jesus. And that thinking of God and Jesus reminds Faithy of Great-Grandma. I wonder if they are all three smiling together about their sweet little Faith Marie?

Peace and blessings to your day!
Jeanine