'I'm not afraid to die...'Big Betty' will be there.'

Driving around with a kindergartener in the back seat always lends itself to 'interesting' conversations.
Today, out of the blue, Little One asked me 'how did your dad die, momma?'
After taking some deep cleansing breaths....
I told her 'He died in a war...trying to help people be safe...'
'What did he do?' she asked....
Again...deep cleansing breath...

'My dad, your Grandfather, was an officer in the Navy...his job was to protect our country and also to help other people who needed to be saved from the bad guys....'
(Long silence from the back seat....)
'...but how did he die?'....
'He was hurt really badly...he had a BIG 'ow-ie'...' I explained.
'I love my Grandfather...I want to see him.'
I told her 'someday you will...'
'When I go to Heaven, momma?'
'Yes...when you go to Heaven....a LONG time from now.'
(Long silence from the back seat....)
'Momma...are you scared to die?'
'No...',I told her,'...because I hope to see my dad again...and you know who else is in Heaven?'
'Who?' she asked...

'Zeusy Boy...' (our dog)...
'AND!' she chimed in,' BIG BETTY!' ('Big Betty' was our hamster)
(hahahaha---thank God for comic relief!)
'I'm not afraid to die either Momma...cuz, I'll get to see my Grandfather....and BIG BETTY!'