The Eyes of a Child

Today has been a day like few others. It began with attending the funeral of my sister's father-in-law. My sister has been married for over 15 years so I have know her FIL for a long time. He has been ill for quite a while and although it is comforting that he is no longer suffering the effects of his loss on those closest to him is evident. My sister was concerned about how her 2 young daughters would take the loss of their beloved Pappy. As is usually the case with children, they have handled it so beautifully. After the initial surprise wore off, they were excited at the prospect of Pappy being in Heaven, wondered if he would fly around like the angels, and what he would have for breakfast in Heaven. As the funeral approached my sister was concerned about whether or not they should attend and if people crying would upset them. She and I discussed it and she sought the advice of other family members. Well both the almost 6 year old (b-day next week) and the 4 year old were there this morning. I asked my sister how the girls were doing and she nearly cried to tell me this. She said that they girls had come to the funeral home with their daddy and Bebe (grandmother) yesterday and they were excited to see Pappy was in a treasure chest and the inside of it looked like a "baby's bed". Now, if only we could see things through such innocent and open eyes. In so many respects a casket is a treasure chest holding what is left of a loved one after the most important part has gone on to a better place, and how wonderful to think of the inside as a baby's bed since that is how we are welcomed into this world and now to leave it the same way. . . Once the funeral started the 4 year old wanted to know why they were closing Pappy up - but when I explained we were going to have a church service to tell Pappy good bye. She asked but why did they close the box and I told her they would put Pappy in the ground after the church service and she was satisfied. During the funeral she and her sister and cousin happily drew pictures and decorated with stickers only occasionally pausing to check out whatever was happening up front. Afterwards in the foyer the 4 year old asked me why her mommy was crying and I told her it was because she was sad because she was going to miss Pappy. Everyone milled about for a bit and she came back to me in a short time and said mommy was missing Pappy and also thinking about Pop. (I blogged earlier about the accident my parent were involved in and my father's long journey toward recovery). Both girls were excited about seeing Pappy go in the ground and as I reflect on the thought of a treasure chest - it is just that, the burial of a treasure. Pappy was a treasure to those who loved him here on Earth and one of God's treasures as well. Once more it takes a child to put into perspective those things with which we as adults see with such different eyes. I know I have said it before, but I want to see things like a child, for it's purity, it's innocence, it's beauty and it's joy!