We attended the funeral of a woman in our ward today. It was a beautiful funeral commemorating a woman who lived an amazing life of adventure and service.
Later in the day while Afton and I were playing dress ups, she was talking about the funeral. I thought it might be a good opportunity to talk to her about what a funeral is. I asked her if she knew why we went to the funeral and she said she did not. I told her that a woman had died. She then got very concerned and said, "I am sad." and began to cry. I held her in my arms and try to calm her down. She wouldn't stop crying. After about five minutes I was really freaking out. I felt helpless because I had tried every calming technique I had. Then the thought came to me, "you brought it up to teach her- so teach".
I explained to her our beliefs about what happens when we die (and here).
I explained to her our beliefs about what happens when we die (and here).
As I taught her about how this woman was now with our Heavenly Father and that she was happy and probably serving, teaching, laughing, and having fun, the most amazing thing happened- Afton began to feel at peace. It wasn't an "oh, ok" kind of calm, it was actual peace. The peace that only comes when you know for certain that what you have been told is true.
This was the first time I was able to experience my child gain a testimony. It was incredible to watch.
A few months ago, I had been a part of an online conversation with moms from my community. One woman had asked for advice about how to teach her kid about death. Many of the moms who responded to the question admitted that they either didn't believe in life after death or didn't know what happens when we die but that when their kids asked about death, they told them that people go to Heaven when they die. They said that although they don't believe in Heaven, their kids were comforted and were able to move on. At the time, I thought about how hard it must be to be so confused even as an adult. And then I forgot about the online conversation.
But, after my talk with Afton, I remembered this online conversation. It made me wonder why these moms chose to tell their kids that we go to Heaven. Why THAT idea was the ONE idea that comforted those kids. They could have chosen to tell their kids that we go eat ice cream at an ice cream parlor, that we live in Lego Land, or that we live in a grand and glorious castle with all the Disney Princesses! But instead, their kids found comfort in knowing that we go to Heaven. I don't think this is a coincidence. I think those kids were like my kid- they know for certain that what they have been told is true- they felt peace.
This was the first time I was able to experience my child gain a testimony. It was incredible to watch.
A few months ago, I had been a part of an online conversation with moms from my community. One woman had asked for advice about how to teach her kid about death. Many of the moms who responded to the question admitted that they either didn't believe in life after death or didn't know what happens when we die but that when their kids asked about death, they told them that people go to Heaven when they die. They said that although they don't believe in Heaven, their kids were comforted and were able to move on. At the time, I thought about how hard it must be to be so confused even as an adult. And then I forgot about the online conversation.
But, after my talk with Afton, I remembered this online conversation. It made me wonder why these moms chose to tell their kids that we go to Heaven. Why THAT idea was the ONE idea that comforted those kids. They could have chosen to tell their kids that we go eat ice cream at an ice cream parlor, that we live in Lego Land, or that we live in a grand and glorious castle with all the Disney Princesses! But instead, their kids found comfort in knowing that we go to Heaven. I don't think this is a coincidence. I think those kids were like my kid- they know for certain that what they have been told is true- they felt peace.
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