We had a very funny dinner conversation yesterday. We were having yummy roast chicken with our friends Shannon and Danny. now, it's important to know that Ava just recently made the connection that what she is actually eating when she eats roast chicken, is a beloved bird. There have been other interesting conversations about this but none quite as animated as last night.
Ava started this particular conversation by asking me "Momma, is this blood?" on a particularly pink piece of chicken. I answered her "no, it's just pink chicken" Ava "so this doesn't have blood in it?" Danny (also 5 years old) "nope, no blood cause it's not alive" Shannon added "not anymore, no more feathers either" & we giggled a little.
Then Ava asks, "is it in heaven then?"
Danny "yes.... right?"
Me "yes, I would say it's in heaven with the other animals"
Then the conversation got interesting. The kids are quiet for a couple minutes and then Ava asks "Momma, will I have a boy "nunu" when I get to heaven?" (nunu is our word for little girl parts - call me old fashioned)
I looked at Shannon quick while she choked & answered quickly "No Ava, you won't have boy parts when you get to heaven"
Then I said what could have probably waited until they were about 10 years older... "I'm not sure anyone in heaven has boy or girl parts Ava, all we know is that everyone has all their parts". They took about a nano-second on that one before starting a very fast little exchange about what that might mean exactly, so I redirected the conversation by saying that when we get to heaven, anyone who didn't have legs that work or arms etc. will be all better in heaven. Shannon then reminded the kids that our pastors daughter who walks with a walker always says she can't wait to get to heaven because she'll be able to dance there.
2 things reminded of at dinner:
ALWAYS remember to only answer the actual questions being asked by a 5 year old
and When we get to Heaven we'll all be dancing - with or without the chickens!
p.s. I wrote the original version of this last night but blogger and my cold hand accidentally deleted it! If Shannon reminds me of something important to the story I'll add it.
