"TO  FLY"
by
René Phillips Qualls

It's been three years now since my husband, Eddie, passed away.  At the time of his death, Nathan was sixteen, and Thomas was six.  Nathan turned sixteen in October, Thomas turned six in November, and Eddie died in December.  He was fifty-two years old.

In April of that year, 1998, Nathan stood at the bedside of his grandmother, Maxine Qualls, as she breathed her last.  In October, three days past his sixteenth birthday, he stood at the bedside of his other grandmother, Ruth Phillips, as she passed away.  Nathan had the honor of sharing, with these beautiful women, the last moments of their lives.  He also knew that he would, indeed, see his beloved grandmothers again. He understood about the Resurrection, and how things would be after Christ returns.  So, when his father died, Nathan looked forward to the Millennium, and all that it portends.  Life again, with Dad.

What about Thomas?  He stood in the hospital emergency room with Nathan, Jay Wiley (a coworker of Eddie's), and me, after Eddie died.  We prayed over him, and lingered as long as we could, not wanting to leave him.  Thomas walked out of that room, knowing that his daddy was dead.  But what did my very young son truly understand about his father's future?

Eddie and I had explained, to both of our children, what happens to people when they die.  We talked about the return of Jesus Christ, and the Resurrection.  Nathan understood the adult point of view on these topics.  However, after Eddie's death, I was confronted with the necessity of dealing with a child's logic.  Anticipating Thomas' questions about his father, I wondered how I could answer him in a way that he could relate to.  I would trust God to give me the answers to my little boy's questions.

So, when Thomas asked me when Jesus and Daddy were coming back, I answered, "I don't know when they will be back.  But, when Daddy does come back, he will be able to fly! He'll make himself invisible!  He'll go to the moon, whenever he wants to!  He will run very, very fast, and jump over a skyscraper!  Daddy will walk through a door, and not even have to open it!  He will be so strong, he can pick up an elephant!  Daddy will have so much fun!  And, we will always be together, with each other, and with Jesus."

Thomas looked at me, and with excitement in his voice, said, "Daddy will be a Super Hero!  And  Jesus is the BIGGEST Super Hero!"

Daddy will fly.
 

Copyright © 2001 René Phillips Qualls (Used by permission)