Children Can Hear Him

Sara walked tall through the open field looking for the perfect spot.
“Do you need it to be shaded grandpa?” She looked up at the grayed man hobbling on his cane.  He stopped for a moment and looked at her.
“There wasn’t always shade in Vietnam,” he said.  “In fact, there were days that the sun beat on my back for 10 hours straight.”
         Sara started to run, paying close attention to the basket she was carrying.  When she reached the small dogwood, she placed the blanket on the ground and jumped down, waiting on her grandpa.  He slowly made his way over and sat down.
“This looks just like the picnic your grandma and I had.  It was our second date and she had to sneak away to see me.  Her father didn’t like me very much.”
         “You mean grandma lied?”  Sara’s face looked almost pained as she shielded her eyes from the sun.
         “Well, sometimes people have a hard time understanding and refuse to listen.  She got into a lot of trouble for lying to her father, but she thought it was worth the trouble to see me.”
         “Like when daddy says I can’t go into mommy’s room ‘cuz I’ll mess it up but sometimes, when he’s outside, I sneak in it and smell her perfume.”
         “That’s exactly what I mean.  Your father is hurting now.  He loved your mother very much.  We all did.  She was my little girl, but I have you now.  One day he will let you enjoy her things.  That’s what she would have wanted you to do.”
         “How long were you sad when grandma died?”
         The old man cleared his throat.  “You’ll understand one day when you find someone special like your dad and I did.”
“You mean like Lance Williams in my class?  I know he likes me ‘cuz he told Danny and Danny told his sister Sheila.  I sit by her in Math class and she passed me a note.  Do you think Lance loves me?”
Her grandpa stared for a moment, captivated by her innocence.  “I’m sure he does.”
“Daddy says mommy was too young to die.  I think he’s mad at God too because he doesn’t pray anymore.”
The old man hesitated, trying to think of the right words.  He thought about the long nights he would lie awake after Anna died, blaming God; cursing him out loud.   
         “Sara, when people hurt, sometimes it’s easier to blame someone else.  Unfortunately, we choose God.  I think most people do it because they know God will forgive them.”
         Sara looked up at the sky.  “I can pray enough for my daddy.  I’ll make sure God forgives him for being mad right now.”
         Sara’s grandpa sat, staring at her.  Her innocence scared him. Her mind was not tainted by events of life.  She had not experienced cruel peers, reckless friends, and time at war.  Her heart had never loved another unconditionally just by choosing someone as a partner.  But in that naivety, came mercy, for she had never endured a broken heart.  He envied her but pitied the innocence that would be lost so quickly. He found himself embracing her, crying.  Sara hugged him and rubbed his back.
         “I know grandpa.  You miss mommy too.  It will be okay,” she said with a smile.