I was changing Ford's diaper the other day when he asked, "Mom, will we always have Tanner?"
Tanner is the family dog, and at twelve-years old, her health is quickly deteriorating.
"No, Ford," I said gently, "we won't always have Tanner. She is old, and she won't always be with us."
"But if she's not with us," he asked, "who will have her?"
Ever since I became a mother 4 years ago, I've been preparing myself for the tough questions-Why am I here? Where do babies come from? Who shot JFK?-but I admit I wasn't ready for life's greatest question in the middle of a diaper change.
I answered carefully. "Ford, when someone is no longer with us, they go to live with Jesus in Heaven."
A tear made its way down Ford's cheek as he said, "Well, I don't want any other dog after she's gone."
One week later I stood behind my grandmother as her husband of 63 years was buried into the ground. Grandpa lived to be 93, so there was much to give praise for, but I was tormented by one thing. He never saw my sons, his only great-grandchildren.
"Can he see us now?" I wondered silently. "Is he looking down from Heaven and finally seeing the boys?"
My other grandfather, Big Jack, died when I was pregnant with Ford. He too never saw my children. And now, today, I have no more grandfathers. No white-headed men to pat my boys' heads and slip them forbidden candy.
But like Ford, I don't want anyone to replace Big Jack and Grandpa. The Bible tells us in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, "But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep." Big Jack and Grandpa are gone, but someday we will meet again, and something in my heart tells me they are still here, watching and smiling.
As we left the funeral, I thought back to my conversation with Ford. Very soon he will have to say goodbye to Tanner. I hope I have prepared him well enough.
But then again, as I remember the timing of his question right before my grandfather's funeral, could it be that God was actually preparing me?
Sarah Smiley, Copyright 2004
About The Author
++You may reprint the above column on your website so long as the following is included the URL address is actively hyperlinked back++
THIS MUST BE INCLUDED: Copyright 2004 Sarah Smiley http://www.sarahsmiley.com - Sarah Smiley's syndicated column Shore Duty appears weekly in newspapers across the country.
experienced cleaning professionals Northbrook ..When my oldest daughter was born, I walked the floor... Read More
Children explore the world around them and learn through pretend... Read More
Do you think you really know your child? I don't... Read More
Younger generations unfortunately will not understand how larger than life... Read More
Ever blown your top to your children, only to regret... Read More
Are you a frustrated parent who sometimes finds it is... Read More
In a consumer-driven society that broadcasts values you don't approve... Read More
Saturday mornings. Cold cereal and Scooby Doo. How many parents... Read More
If you had to spend 4 or 5 hours in... Read More
As a parent your biggest responsibility is to prepare your... Read More
Every year over one million parents have to talk to... Read More
Home, home on the range, Where never is heard A... Read More
As a parent, you can learn a lot about your... Read More
In theory, working at home is an ideal situation. But... Read More
Hey Parents! I hate to tell you, but there is... Read More
Let's face it: raising children can be quite the adventure.... Read More
Today's dads are more hands-on than ever before and their... Read More
This may come as a surprise, but many parents are... Read More
In memory of 14 year old Matthew Smith; 11 year... Read More
In "The Ring Bear," a picture book by Tigard resident... Read More
Family decision-making is an intriguing phenomenon. Many factors become part... Read More
Are you a professional?Notice how the questions differs from, "Do... Read More
By the time your children reach their teens, there is... Read More
It can be difficult on all family members to have... Read More
The citizens of the early Roman Republic enjoyed an education... Read More
best value cleaning service Northbrook ..As our children grow, they will be going to schools... Read More
In his recent newsletter "Happy Kids", parenting expert Michael Grose... Read More
Children and teenagers are relentlessly bombarded with merchandise that entices.... Read More
Although it's hard to say when the first stuffed dogs... Read More
If you're a single parent or a married couple on... Read More
Remember when cash was a tangible commodity in all of... Read More
When I was pregnant, we knew that we had some... Read More
Beyond cases reported to authorities, little knowledge exists on the... Read More
'I felt great until I walked into the classroom -... Read More
College is one of the largest expenses through the course... Read More
One of the most difficult parts of being a father... Read More
I recall somewhere in the recesses of my aging brain... Read More
Here we will come to know who are the most... Read More
Though you can cover even very long distances by car... Read More
There is no doubt that mothers play an all-important leading... Read More
For most children, it is easy to learn to read... Read More
Are you feeling overwhelmed being a parent? Do you want... Read More
What a dreamer I am when thinking about parenthood. Most... Read More
This past holiday season Canadians spent over $45 billion-with parents... Read More
Q. I don't like my children spending so much time... Read More
Dear Sir, It was with some interest that I read... Read More
This time, I would like to talk about a subject... Read More
Are you worried about your child's reading habits? Perhaps you... Read More
In "The Ring Bear," a picture book by Tigard resident... Read More
NY -- Strange as it may sound, bordom promotes happier,... Read More
| Parenting |