Going to Heaven

Our last night's dinner conversation about the week ahead:

Me: On Sunday ...

Virginia (interrupting): Ella is going to Heaven.

Me: Virginia Kate! Don't ever say anything like that.

Daniel: Cathleen, what are you talking about? Heaven is a great place to go.

Me: Why would you say that, Virginia?

Virginia: I don't know.

Daniel: It's okay, Virginia. We all want to go to Heaven, but maybe not on Sunday.

Me: That's right. No one in this family is going to Heaven this weekend, you hear me? I hope Ella goes to Heaven some day, but I don't want her to go for a long, long time. I don't want any of us to go for a long time.

Virginia (starting to cry): I don't ever want to leave you, mommy. I want to stay with you forever.

Me: I don't want to leave you either, Virginia. Maybe we'll go to Heaven together some day.

Virginia: Well, how about if you go first. Then I can meet you there later.