(Dated July 11, 2004)

Cotter: Daddy?
Me: Yes, Son?
Cotter:Who was the very first people ever, before we were here?
Me: You mean the first person of all time?
Cotter: Right. Before our family, who were the first people?
Me: You remember that God created Adam on the sixth day? And that God put Adam to sleep, took out one of his ribs, and created Eve? (note: this statement was also used as an opportune moment to tickle Cotter in the ribcage area).
Cotter (laughing): Oh, yeah….right. Adam and Eve.
Me: So Adam and Eve were the first people, and they had Cain and Abel and Seth.
Cotter: How did they have them, if God made Eve from Adam’s rib?
(note: this is where I paused to determine just how far to go into this discussion with my sleepy five-year old son.)
Me: Well, Adam and Eve had babies, and then when they grew up they had families that had babies and so on and so on.
Cotter: So we’re in their family?
Me: We are…if you go back far enough, it all starts with Adam and Eve.
Cotter: That’s pretty cool, even though I don’t really get it.
….
….
Daddy?
Me: Yes, Son?
Cotter: Why did Eve eat that bad fruit?
Me: The Bible says she ate the fruit because she believed Satan’s lies that if she did, she could be like God and know good and evil.
Cotter: I wish she wouldn’t have done that. If she hadn’t eaten the fruit, would we live forever?
(note: this is where I once more paused to determine just how far to go into this discussion with my sleepy five-year old son.)
Me: Well, remember, everyone lives forever somewhere. But because Adam and Eve ate the fruit, everybody dies, before they go on to live forever either with God in heaven, or apart from God in hell.
Cotter: But not in these bodies.
Me: No, these bodies don’t live forever.
Cotter: Daddy?
Me: Yes, Son?
Cotter: Will I get to wear clothes in heaven?
Me: The Bible says we’ll all be wearing white robes. So I guess it will be this cool white outfit that you’ll really like a lot.
Cotter: Oh. Because I was hoping I could wear the clothes I have now. I really like my clothes.
Me: Trust me, you’ll like what you’ll wear in heaven.
Cotter: Because God says so?
Me: Well, probably more because it will be really cool and you’ll thank God for letting you wear it.
Cotter: God already knows I’ll like it?
Me: Oh my, yes. God already knows everything you like, and everything you want and everything you need!
Cotter (smiling): God really knows all that?
Me: He sure does!
Cotter: So He knows I want a speed racing boat?
Me: I’m sure He does. He knows everything. He even knows things you want that you don’t even know you want.
Cotter: I believe that, because I don’t even know what 23 plus 24 is yet.
Me: But God knows you, and He loves you very much.
Cotter: I’m so glad God loves me. He helps me sleep good at night.
Me: Then why don’t you close your eyes and have pleasant dreams, buddy?
Cotter: Okay. I love you Daddy. Don’t let the bed bugs bite. If you do, hit ‘em with a shoe. If you miss, don’t give ’em a kiss.
Me: I love you too. Goodnight.