Is he with Jesus?

"Is he with Jesus?" Annabelle asked this evening.

These words struck a chord in my heart so strong. It is just so hard to believe that an innocent child truly believes there is a Jesus living in heaven even though she's never met this so called person named Jesus (or God). If only we as adults could see everything through the eyes of an innocent child.

Hubby's father had passed away back in September of 1994 when hubby was only 16 years old. I don't think he's ever truly stopped grieving for his Dad, and I know for a fact that he has never forgot him. During a time in our lives when most of us cannot stand to be seen in public with our parents, hubby lost one of his own. I am sure he respected and looked at both his parents in a different light from a much earlier age than most of us. It takes having kids of our own sometimes to truly appreciate our parents, but unfortunately, I think hubby was forced to see the light much sooner.

So, this afternoon, hubby asked me if I wanted to watch the video tape that his Dad had recorded for him, his brother and his mom before he became very ill. He actually had not watched the video himself for the first time until this past December 2008. I had mentioned to him that I wanted to watch it as well. I did not expect him to pull it out the day before Father's Day.

Before we started the tape, I told Annabelle that we were going to watch a video tape of hubby's Daddy. I told her that Papa Leon, hubby's Daddy, was in heaven.

Her response to that was, "Is he with Jesus?"

I don't know how your heart does not skip a beat when your young child asks such questions, but it brought tears to my eyes.

As for the video, it also brought tears to my eyes. I've heard so many wonderful things about Papa Leon, and I wish I could have met him myself. I don't know if he had a script, but if he didn't, he spoke everything so eloquently. It was very clear to see that hubby also learned a lot about love and integrity from not only his mother, but also from his father. I could tell from the video that he loved his family with all of his heart (and then some).

One thing I remember the most from the video is he told his boys that one of the best things they could ever do for their children was "to love their mother." It speaks so true to my heart. I have no doubt that Nonnie loved Leon. He was her everything and definitely her true love. And, after watching the video, I see just how much Leon loved Donnie. You cannot fake feelings of true love, and he truly and deeply loved his wife (and his children).

And, I think the same goes for any family. I think the best thing any spouse can do for their children is to love the other spouse and to show that love to their children. I, myself, am fortunate enough to have parents who love each other dearly. They don't always agree, but I know they love each other. And, I know the same was true for Nonnie and Leon.

I hope that Annabelle will one day grow up to tell her own children the same thing. I just hope and pray that we'll be a good example for her!

Obviously, she has already been a good example for us. Who are we as human beings to question the existence of Jesus and God?

If only we could see everything through the eyes of an innocent child!


This blog entry was read and approved by hubby before posting.