Potpourri

Madeline and I shared a very intense conversation a few nights ago. It all started with "where does God live?" I told her that I believe He lives in heaven. "And where is heaven?" I think it's up above the clouds and sky. "So it's not in the ground?" This one perplexed me. I asked why she thought heaven was in the ground and she said because our friend TJ was put into the ground and we told her he went to heaven. A-ha. Busted. I didn't even realize we'd contradicted ourselves but nothing gets by this four-almost-five year-old! So I explained a little about souls...how God makes everyone very special and he puts all of our goodness and kindness into our souls and our souls (sorta) live in our hearts. When we die we're buried in the ground so our friends and family can visit and bring us flowers but that our souls will go to heaven to be with God and all our family and friends that have already died. She got very upset at this and started crying."I don't want to die right now! I'm not ready to die! I don't want you to die either...I'll miss you!!" Oh my...maybe I was a little too real for her. I calmed her down and we talked about how people get older and sometimes their bodies get very tired and that's when they might die and go to heaven. Lucky for me she didn't make the connection that TJ was only 24 when he died...I wasn't up for explaining that one. But I'm glad she's thinking about things and trying to make sense of the world around her. She's open to the idea of God...which is great...so we're just going to try to nurture that curiosity. Maybe someday she'll choose to worship as a Catholic...or maybe not. Either way is fine with me just as long as she believes in something.



This evening I watched Madeline practice her recital dance. I hadn't seen it yet so I was surprised at all she's learned! I've been wondering if she'd be the little girl on stage at the recital that knows every step and dances it with vigor or if she'd be the one on the end that stands there stunned in a statue pose on the verge of tears. Now given her outgoing personality and her love of performing for family and friends I should have known she'd know her stuff...and she does! I was feeling very proud of her as I watched her tendu and plie her way through her ballet dance!! She knows it...she really knows it! She'll do great at the recital and I'm very excited that she's taken to dance the way she has. Maybe someday when she's a bit older we'll find her a theater program to try...she really is a drama queen!




If you're interested in seeing this little rising star on stage for the first time in all her glory, come on out to UIS Sangamon Auditorium on Saturday, June 14 for a 6:30 pm show. There's no admission and I guarantee you'll be entertained! If you can't make the show, there's always a dress rehearsal the night before at 5:30 pm. It's a little more informal as some formations may need to be worked out on stage, etc. but cameras are welcome as well as family and friends. Hope you can make it to Madeline's first dance recital!




As I write this Madeline is finishing up her bath. I hear her chatting to herself but I just now tuned into what she's saying...actually, singing. "1800 safe auto!" She's funny! She remembers commercials and jingles the way I do...her mind really is a sponge!!!