What does your heart say?

Recently, my three year old has begun using a new phrase, "What does your heart say?" I don't know where she came up with it, because it's not an expression that either my husband or I use. Not only does she use it, but she seems to know exactly the right context in which to use it as well. For example, one day last week (before the accident) she was trying to negotiate her way out of taking a nap. When the answer to each of her proposals, was "no, it is time to nap now." She took my hand, looked deep in my eyes, and said, "but what does your heart say?"



One of the biggest challenges of the week has been trying to figure out what and how much my daughter understands. Clearly, she knows something isn't right. We have been at Mammah's house for almost a week, and Mammah hasn't shown up even once. All the grown-ups are crying. And naps, bedtimes, mealtimes, pull-ups or panties, videos-well, they've all become matters of what the heart says.



About once a day the subject of Mammah has come up. We aren't trying to push it, or avoid it, just let her take the lead. And we try to confirm what is true. So far, Tee has established, that Mammah moved to heaven. She lives in a Castle with Jesus and Grandpa. She is an angel. And we can't see her anymore. Tee, has also made comments that she doesn't want Mammah to be an angel. And that her Mammah can't help her anymore. Usually, this reduces the grown-up to a pile of tears, meanwhile Tee has noticed a cup of M&M's or licorice and is ready to move on to figuring out how to get candy. So the moments of discussion are fleeting.



Last night, when she still hadn't fallen asleep at 10:00, I lay down with her. After a lot of cuddling, and I love you's. Tee asked me, "What does your heart say?" I answered, "That I am blessed to have such wonderful children." So then I asked Tee, the same question, and she gave me the exact same answer.
She then asked the question again, "Mommy, what does your heart say?" So since it seemed we might be playing a game of copy cat, I went with, "My heart says Jesus loves me. What does your heart say?" And Tee answered, "My heart says that Mammah loves me." Yes, yes she does.