On the way home from ballet class yesterday evening, Olivia excitedly told me she wanted to get home and pick a flower to give to her Grandma who lives with the Angels. She continued to say, "Maybe someday Grandma will leave the Angels and come and visit me, because I never met her." In that instant my heart broke into a million pieces. Choking back my tears, I explained that when someone goes to live with the Angels, they're not allowed to come back. However, we can talk to our Grandma anytime we want. Olivia of course responded with, "Will Grandma, talk back to us?" After a long "Wellllll...." from me, I finally told her, "No you won't hear Grandma talk back to you, but she will definitely be listening...always."
After all of this, Olivia still wanted to give Grandma her flowers, very badly. I finally suggested that when it was time for bed, she should put the flower under her pillow. When she was sleeping, an Angel would come down from Heaven, get the flower and take it back to give to Grandma. She was so excited to do this that when we got home she went straight to bed, being sure to put the little flower under her pillow.
This morning when Olivia Regina woke up, she immediately checked under all of the pillows, around the bed, and throughout the bedroom. All the while, not saying a word. When she was done, she sat on the bed with a big grin. I asked, "Olivia what are you doing?" She sat there holding her response, still smiling and looking around. Finally, with that big grin, she said, "Can I have some pancakes?"
How happy was that little girl in knowing that last night her Grandma, whom she has never met but feels so much love for, received the pretty little purple flower that she picked just for her.
...and how proud was I to be her Mom.
