My 7-year-old Jack loves solid information. He loves facts. He loves math. No second-guessing, no fuzzy answers.

He also likes to look forward to things he is excited about. For as long as I can remember, he has constantly asked how many days were left until specific events. For this reason, a few years ago we bought him this cool wooden countdown calendar that he uses for Christmas, birthdays, VT trips, etc. 

The other night when tucking Jack in, we went over how many days there were until our upcoming trip to VT this summer and how many days until his birthday. Then, as he was arranging his animals in his bed, he turned and looked straight at me with a serious face and asked, “How many days until I go to Heaven, Mama?”

Pausing for a moment to gather my thoughts, I explained how none of us know exactly how many days we have left here on earth, only God knows that. 

“Oh, so God has a calendar for each of us up there?” Jack asked. 

“Well, yeah kind of, I guess you could say that,” I said as I grinned with the imagination of this idea. 

“I did just say that,” Jack factually stated. 

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Jack then asked lots of questions about Heaven and death, and although I don’t have all the answers (which is usually really difficult for Jack to accept because he loves for everything to have solid answers, no guesswork), I did my best to answer his questions. 

We then talked about how even though I don’t know a lot of answers, we don’t have to be afraid of the unknown because we put our faith and trust in God, and how He is so good. 

“All the time. And all the time, God is good,” Jack responded with a grin, as he parroted our pastor’s parting remark after every Mass.

Jack then paused and remained still for a long moment, then with a great big smile as he slid down underneath the covers, he stated, “Well, I have to sleep now, Mama, because I am SO excited to spend another day on earth with you tomorrow!” 

And my heart melted as I told that sweet boy that I’m just as excited to share another day on earth with him as well and kissed his adorable head.

And what a glorious way it was to go to bed that night—to lay our heads down with such an amazing outlook, a view full of gratitude and love.

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It reminded me that although we don’t have a lot of control over what goes on in the world around us or have all of the answers to everything, what we do have control over is what outlook, what beliefs, and what thoughts we let consume us. 

Just as Jack encouraged me to do . . . I hope you, too, hold on to some positive, uplifting thoughts and let that positivity and light run through you before your head hits the pillow at night and before yet another day is taken off your very own wooden heavenly calendar. 

Like Jackie, let’s be so filled with excitement to celebrate yet another day together here on earth. 

Author’s note: My friend Doug wrote a song about Jack’s question, which you can watch here.

Originally published on the author’s Facebook page