A Special Delivery...to Heaven

Pastor Stan is someone that Gabriella will always remember.  He was the 

pastor at her preschool for the last year and a half and she truly looked 

forward to she and her class singing with him during Chapel.

Though we have lost a couple family members since Gabriella has been home, 

I think this is the first time she has really understood the finality of death 

here on earth.  Last week the silent tears that I haven't seen for a very long 

time began to fall.  When I held her and asked what was wrong she said "I'm 

going to miss Pastor Stan" and then she let it a-l-l out!!  My heart broke in 

two for her, and not knowing exactly how to fix it, I asked from prayer for our 

sweet baby girl.

Carol Lee, a dear friend and who formerly served at a Christian pre-school 

suggested that Gabriella write a letter to Pastor Stan, attach it to a balloon 

and send it to heaven.  Brilliant, but you have to know Carol Lee as she is full 

of great ideas!  I suggested this idea to Gabriella, and for the first time since 

talking about Pastor Stan since his passing, her eyes lit up and I saw a smile!

Today we went to a local store and purchased a blue balloon as she felt that 

was his favorite color.  We wrote a letter.  Gabriella drew a picture of she and 

Pastor Stan holding hands. We then drove to her preschool.

We said a very special prayer together telling Jesus she really missed Pastor 

Stan and asked if he could give him a hug for her. We attached the letter to 

the balloon and sent it Special Delivery, to Pastor Stan in heaven.  We 

watched the balloon fly high into the sky until we could no longer see it.  She 

asked if Pastor Stan would be happy that she wrote him a letter; I told her 

yes. As the day went on she talked about her letter, fun times she had with 

Pastor Stan and realizes that one day, she will get to see him again in heaven 

and hopefully he will be playing his guitar and singing with all of her preschool 

friends!