heaven ... and ezra's first loves

so, recently, one of my dear CLs named joben lost his grandmother in india. at bedtime prayers, ezra and i were praying, and we prayed for joben's grandpa who dearly misses his bride. the following conversation between ezra and me ensued ... in the dark ... snuggling before bed ...

e: mom, what is wrong with joben's grandpa?
k: oh, he is sad, sweetie.
e: why is he sad, mama?
k: (shoot, i should have seen this coming. still haven't fully discussed death yet with my 3-yr-old) well, because joben's grandma went away, and his grandpa really misses her.
e: where did she go?
k: she went to be with Jesus.
e: (long pause ... thinking) mom, where is Jesus?
k: (not exactly a straight forward response for this one) er...well, Jesus is everywhere. He is with you and me right now. He can see us. He loves us very much.
e: huh?
k: (Sunday school answer is in order) ok, well Jesus is in heaven. with Joben's grandma. and other ppl we love!
e: (even longer pause ... and more thinking) mom, i don't want to be with Jesus.
k: why, honey?
e: because i want to be with you. and daddy.
k: oxoxoxo - WELL, ezra the good news is that probably some day, when it is time for you to be with Jesus, mommy & daddy will already be there! we will be waiting for you.
e: OH!!! will missy be there, too?!
k: well, she might not be there yet. but when you come, we can wait for her together, and then our family can be together with Jesus!
e: OHHHH!!! that sounds like a good plan. (ezra is into plans - that's my young fledgling "J" budding ... :) mommy and daddy and missy and Jesus = we can ALL be together!
k: (wanting to make sure he fully understands you don't just waltz in ...) ezra, do you know how you go to heaven?
e: how, mommy?
k: you tell Jesus you love Him. and that you want to live your life for Him.
e: huh?? (not gonna lie this profound concept of salvation seemed to kind of be lost on the little lad :) i tried to explain more - in simple terms. i think he's still a bit young to fully grasp it ... so he cuts to the chase ... the really "important" question concerning heaven in his mind:
e cont: mom, are there toys in heaven?
k: (LOL!) well, if that will be what makes heaven perfect, I am sure Jesus will let you bring some toys.
e: how bout roads?
k: what do you mean, sweetie?
e: you know, for cars and stuff! (as in the Disney cars :) - or "Lightening NcQueen" :)
k: oh yeah! well, i hear the streets are made of gold!
e: what's gold?
k: well, its really pretty, shiny stuff.
e: that sounds good.

:)

also, lately, ezra will burst out in the car declaring his loves to the world just in case anyone is unclear, "I LOVE MOMMY AND DADDY AND MISSY AND BUN BUN AND GOD AND JESUS!" not in order of importance, of course. :) yep, makes me laugh ... every time. :)