"Mama, I'll Be All Right"

     It can be a torment wondering if a child is all right after he or she dies, especially a young one. I heard a beautiful story yesterday which I hope will allay some fears. It was told by a Franciscan Friar, Father Joseph Mary, in his homily at Mass on EWTN television.

     Father Joseph recounted the story of a mission priest's experience with the mother of a little nine year old boy dying of leukemia. The little boy, in the last stages of his illness, told his mother how he liked to fall asleep. He described to his mother that when he fell asleep, he felt at peace. He went on to say he saw beautiful bright light like he had never seen before and lots of other children, all happy. They were all playing with Jesus.

     A few days later, the little boy told his mother the story again. Only this time, he asked her to kneel beside his bed. She did so. He put his frail little hands on her head.  She felt instantly at peace and the warmth of a bright light within her. Her little boy said to her, "I know I'm dying, but Mama I'll be all right."

     Two days later, the little boy died in his mother's arms. Since his death, his mother described on several occasions, how she became filled with peace and a feeling of light and warmth within herself. She knew her son was telling her he was "all right."

     I believe our children of all ages look out for us in the quiet, the peace and the light to tell us they are "all right." To tell us they want us to be all right. Listen.