One of my closest friends had to put the family dog to sleep recently. We were going to go visit them and I didn't want Annessa to ask about Dutch, the dog, so I told her that Dutch was in Heaven (even though I'm not entirely sure that dogs go to Heaven - this has been a on-going conversation in my marriage. Rich firmly believes Heaven wouldn't be the same without Gus...). Anyway, after explaining that Dutch wouldn't be at Kathy's house, he would be in Heaven, I got my first tough question as a mom:
Annessa: Mom? Where is Heaven?
I thought back to 6th grade when we were studying outer space. I had asked my mom that same question. Her answer? "That's a great question for your teacher!" Since the only teacher Annessa has right now is an imaginary one Mrs. Puff (who I think is actually SpongeBob's teacher), I decided to take a stab at it...
Me: Ummm... Heaven is in the sky.
Annessa looked at me (satisfied with the answer). I, however, was not satisfied. Should I have said Heaven is in your heart? Heaven is.....I'm not sure how you explain the place that God created for us to a two-year-old?
Annessa: Mama? Is Jesus in Heaven with Dutch?
Me: Yes! Yes he is!
Annessa: (looking out the window) Mama, Jesus made the moon.
Me: Yes! Yes he did!
Where did she get that? Church? I volunteer in her room at church and I am pretty sure that concept has not come up. Could it be that my two-year-old can see God in a more pure, more simple way than I?
