Death Brings Questions

Yesterday we were told by Grandma YD that Fr. Paul was not doing very well at the hospital. So Mom asked the girls to pray with her.

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Fr. Paul, officiating Aunt Dee-Dee and Uncle Jon's wedding.

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"Let's pray that if Fr. Paul dies today, that Jesus is standing there at the gates of Heaven with his arms wide open welcoming him in," Mom said.

Lauren sat up and said, "Well, duh, Mom. Of course Jesus will be there; Fr. Paul's a priest!"

Fr. Paul's death also had Lauren asking some interesting questions:

Lauren: When people are buried, are they in clothes or do they put you in there naked? That would be funny if you went to heaven naked.

Mom: Remember, Lauren, your body doesn't go to Heaven, just your soul.

Lauren: But it would still be kind of funny. They would be like hermit crabs without their shells. That might make them look kinda freaky, actually.

Julia said "Ewwww" when she heard Dad would be helping carry the casket. Like her Dad, Julia is easily grossed out.

Emily wanted to know why cars drive so slowly in funeral processions. Dad said it is because the cars need to stay together.

"It's like a parade, only slower," Julia said.

The girls also quizzed Dad about how Fr. Paul died. Lauren reminded the other girls that she nearly died when she was little. And, if she had died, she would have had a small coffin.

"Could I have been buried in a shoebox?" she asked.