My conversation with Eleanor about Grandmother (Nana C)

As you may know, my Grandmother passed away this morning. When the girls woke up, William and I were talking about our plans and the Eleanor started to ask all kinds of questions...
"Mommie, why did Nana C go to heaven?"
"Well, sometimes God calls us to heaven and we don't get to ask why, but know that the person is in a better place."
"Oh, OK...so like Papa and Uncle Andy...Nana C is with them now? But how will they find her?"
"Yes, just like all the others, Nana C is with them. As for finding her, God will show the way."

That kept her content through out the day, but as we were going to bed, it started all over again and went something like this...as William put it...I just kept digging myself deeper and deeper and deeper...
"I am going to miss you while I am in North Carolina, Eleanor."
"Mommie, why are you going to North Carolina?"
"I am going to visit with Baba and PopPop, Uncle Clay, Aunt Anne, Ben, Addison, Aunt Lyn, Tim and Mac and all the other aunts and uncles. We are all gathering to celebrate Nana C's life. That is what happens when people pass away."
"But Mommie, where did Nana C pass away to?"
"Well, her soul went to heaven, remember...just like--"
"YES!!!! Like Uncle Andy and Papa and Sara's mommie, and..."
"And Papa C, too."
"Mommie, who is Papa C?"
"Well he was my Papa and he was married to Nana C."
"So who is he married to now?"
"He is still married to Nana C, in a way."
"What color shirt is Papa C wearing?"
"Umm...white?"
"What about Nana C...how did her suitcase get to heaven?"
"Well, she doesn't need a suitcase in heaven."
"Do you need a suitcase in Omaha?"
"Yes."
"Then, why does Nana C not need a suitcase in heaven?"
"Because God provides everything we could ever need in heaven."
"How will they leave heaven?"
"They will not leave heaven...once you get to heaven, it is so wonderful, you never want to leave."
"OK, but Mommie what is a soul?"
"Well, her soul is what makes her Nana C...her heart and spirit. That is what went to heaven, not her body."
"Where is her body?"
"At a place called a funeral home."
"What do they do with it?"
"They get it ready to go in the ground. That is what we do with people's bodies after they pass away sometimes--we put them in a box and put them in the ground."
"But what happens to it in the ground?"
"Eventually is turns to dust."
"How does it get dusty, Mommie?"
"Well, after time, it just turns to dust...do you remember the story about Adam and Eve?"
"No."
"Well, in that story, God creates our bodies from dust and then when we leave this earth and our souls go to heaven, our bodies eventually turn back into dust."
"Does the dust get out of the box?"
"Nope...it stays there. Now, I think it is time to get to sleep...you and Daddy can talk more about this tomorrow."

I am not sure about you, but I am tired!