Big, Tough Tucker

I think I have blogged about this before, but Lincoln cognitively gets way more than I give him credit some times. People have often asked me what he thinks about Tucker not being here anymore and the kid gets it - in its most simplest form - but he gets it. He understands how exciting it is that Tucker gets to live in the arms of Jesus in Heaven, but also how sad we all are to miss him being here right now...he understands that one day we'll get to see him again when Jesus comes back to get us and this is usually followed by: "Amy and Na-Na are going to be SOOO excited when Jesus comes back!!"
Won't we all. :)

He has these moments some times that trigger his memory of Tucker and he'll just start talking about him. These conversations usually consist of Tucker, Jesus, and Heaven.

Right after Tucker died, Jason and I were nervous at first that the kids might say something "wrong" around Amy and Nate or the other family, and we began praying for God to use their words in whatever way He desired to bring about healing and comfort.

I feel these moments and conversations that are randomly stirred in Lincoln is a direct answer to that prayer. I also think his deep understanding of the mix between sorrow and rejoicing is an answer to that prayer.

The other day we randomly saw Nate's cousin Cassie, and Lincoln told her "Did you know my aunt Amy is going to have TWO babies??!! I have a lot of cousins...a bunch of cousins...and I have one cousin that's in heaven!!!" He said the last part so proudly that Tucker got to be with Jesus in Heaven.

This morning was one of those moments, and it lasted the entire morning.
It started with him singing "He's got the whole world in His hands". We like to fill in different things for the verses together. The other day, I had sang: "He's got little baby Tucker, in His hands..." and Lincoln stopped me and goes:
"Mom - I don't think Tucker is a little baby anymore."
I laughed and we changed it: "He's got big tough Tucker in His hands!"

So this morning I overheard him singing this line to Adelynn while she watched and smiled at him. He then asked me how long it had been since Tucker went to Heaven and if Jesus came and got him. He told me  - as he always does - that when he gets to Heaven, he is going to give Jesus a BIIG hug and a BIIG kiss! He proceeded to talk throughout the morning about his idea of Heaven, Amy and Nate, and some other related things. Then on the way to the gym, he was just staring out the window and goes "Mommy, I really miss Tucker."

Thank you Jesus for these moments.