This past week my sweet grandmother, Nanu, passed away. I know everyone will say their grandma was one in a million, but Nan WAS. She said things that made you laugh, but then you feel guilty that you're laughing. During her funeral I had several people tell me stories about her that started with " I can't believe I'm saying this in a church..but.." Growing up the ladies in church said I was her little protege and I am still so proud of that. If I can be half as funny, half as kind and half as honest then life would be good.
My boys loved her and called her Wahado ( you can do it in Arabic). Every week they would call her and/or visit her at home. Wahado would always make sure there was goldfish and cookies at the house for he littles... As any good grandma would.
When she passed away I panicked at what to tell Ethan. As a toddler he doesn't understand heaven or eternity. I knew he would want to call her or see her soon and I was dreading it. Well sure enough the day after she died as I asked him what he wanted to do for the day he said "Let's go toI Wahado's house and play." Quickly I gave a totally lame "Jesus is in heaven and Wahado is going to live up there with him." Answer. He didn't say anything, so I didn't know he even heard me.
After the funeral, Bryan was driving the boys around (note boys did not go to funeral) and Ethan picked up his plastic phone and said " Wahado... Oh daddy, she's not going to answer. She's up with Jesus."
Followed by Bryan beginning to tear up he said " yes she is. You know your Wahado loved you very much." And without missing a beat E replied "yes and I love her daddy."
Sometimes I undermine what a kid can understand. Sometimes I try to over analyze what I say...what I believe ...and relationships.
It's simple
- Jesus loves me and can't wait to spend eternity with me.
- So now we should say "I love you" to those we love.
- Children understand both of these more than most adults I know
Thank you Ethan. Thank you Wahado.
