Simple moments with your grandchildren often become priceless moments.
~Author Unknown

“Grammy, do you have Jesus?”

The question came from the mouth of my two-year-old grandson. I paused, thinking of a correct way to answer him. I was especially concerned with the repercussions from his non-churchgoing parents. Avoidance was my immediate choice.

“Does Daddy have Jesus?” I asked.

“No, he does not.” (Samson always spoke in complete sentences.)

“Does Mommy have Jesus?”

“No. She says she is ‘piritual.’ ” (Samson did not pronounce “s” blends.)

Then, thankfully, his two-year-old mind was off to another venture. I had successfully diverted the Jesus conversation.

That evening at dinner with his parents, I spilled the Jesus story, indicating my complete innocence. I definitely did not introduce the topic. Peter and Jessica laughed, telling me that Samson had been saying parts of prayers and blessings. Maybe he’d learned them from a friend or the playgroup he went to once a week. They said he’s been asking them about Jesus, too.

Several days later, I saw Samson again.

“Grammy, do you have Jesus?”

Knowing I was off the hook with his parents, I decided to do some investigative questioning.

“Do you have Jesus, Samson?”

“No, I do not.”

“Do you know someone who has Jesus?”

“Yes, I do, Grammy. Maggie has Jesus.”

“Where would Jesus be?”

I expected him to say “in my heart” or something profound. (He was a most intelligent two-year-old.) He slid off my lap and went to the kitchen. I followed.

“Jesus might be there,” he said, pointing to the breadbox. “Or there,” he commented, pointing to the cupboard.

I was onto something now.

“What does Jesus look like?”

He paused.

“Jesus is orange and… quare.” (Missing the “s” on square.)

I paused and smiled. Mystery solved.

“Cheez-Its?”

“Yes, Grammy. I would like Jesus. Do you have Jesus?”

“No, but I have some Goldfish crackers. Would that work?”

— Joan Dubay —