
“We’re going to see Grandma Susie, and Nonna, and Uncle Rick…” I began to list.
“What about Great-Grandpa? Do we get to see him, too?” my 4-year-old asked innocently.
I hesitated. As my daughters turned expectant eyes toward me, they waited, unaware of the undercurrents between my husband and I, the stifled tears.
“No, sweetie,” I said, finally. “We won’t get to see Great-Grandpa. He died, but guess what? He went to live with Jesus!”
“Hooray!” Elise exclaimed. “Aww…I want to live with Jesus!”
I paused for a moment, caught myself smiling, an odd reaction given the gravity of the moment and the grief squeezing my heart. I’m surprised by the joy in her comment, and yet I wondered, Shouldn't my reaction mirror hers?
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Aldo and my husband, his grandson |
When he died this October, it wasn’t unexpected given his age. But it also wasn’t something we had dealt with before, as a family.
When we arrived at the funeral home on the day that also happened to be my 31st birthday, my children approached the coffin quietly.
“He looks like he’s sleeping,” they commented.
I hunted for the right words, something that would make sense to a child.
“Part of him, his body, is still here,” I said, finally. “And that’s the part we get to see. But when he died here on earth, he woke up with Jesus in heaven.”
Despite the pain and loss, part of me is struck by the momentous beauty of this moment. And during the service, in between hurried trips to the bathroom for my 2-year-old and squabbling over who gets to sit where in the padded chairs of the front row, I listened as the priest talked about how this great man's passing was not really a death, it’s a transition, like a child delivered from its mother's womb -- passing from one world to the next.
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Noelle with Great-Grandpa Aldo |
And as I held my own children tightly on my lap while the service continued, and felt my unborn daughter's acrobatic kicks in my womb, I thought about how the pain of childbirth is a cause, a catalyst, for celebration. How that momentary pain is eclipsed by joy. And how God, as a father, must also feel joy, despite the pain of those who are left behind for now -- of restoration, of a child brought home.
The beauty is in the paradox that grief and joy can coexist. Though there is space for grief here, it does not overwhelm the joy of birth -- rebirth -- from this life to the next.
Despite the tears that swim in my eyes and the grief that squeezes my heart, I am profoundly thankful.
Linking up with Holley Gerth and Jennifer Dukes Lee.
Kristen,
ReplyDeleteI'm visiting today from Holley's link-up and I so appreciate your memories of your grandfather and how you shared this life experience with your children. It is a mystery how joy and pain or grief can co-exist but I'm so thankful that they do!
Thank you, Valerie! I only got to know Tim's grandpa in the last few years of his life, but he had such a welcoming presence that I definitely felt like he was my grandpa, too. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteBeautiful. It is difficult and painful to say goodbye here on Earth. In plain words: it's stinky! The load would be unbearable if it weren't for Jesus. Praising Him for Great Grandpa's rebirth. Thanks for sharing about from your heart, Kristin, and my sympathies as well. (Visiting you from #tellhisstory)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words, Kristi -- it's true that I can't imagine saying goodbye to our loved ones without having the hope of seeing them again someday. So glad you stopped by.
DeleteI can so relate-my Grandma lived with us for years and passed away at 93. There was such a mix of joy and sadness! I love how kids react. They certainly show us how to be!
ReplyDeleteI agree, I'm constantly amazed at how wise my children can be! I think that as adults, we sometimes miss how simple faith really can be. My kids help me get back to the basics. :)
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