If I were to say the words “SKY Castle” to you, what would come to mind?  Well, if you live in South Korea—or you’re a fan of all things related to that culture—you might immediately think of a television series that originated there and is currently the highest rated drama in Korean cable history.  And about what, you may ask, is said drama?  To quote from Wikipedia:

“The drama revolves around the lives of housewives living in a luxurious residential area called Sky Castle in suburban Seoul. They try to make their husbands more successful and to raise their children like princes and princesses.  They want their children to go to Seoul National University Medical School. So parents rush to send their children to Seoul National University. They use every way to get to Seoul National University Medical School. They spend billions of won (one billion won = $850,000) to hire coordinators for college entrance exams.”

Well . . . that sounds vaguely familiar . . . but that’s not the point.  The point is, if you’re seven years old, SKY Castle doesn’t evoke a Korean drama.  If you’re seven years old, you don’t see parents scheming and conniving to get their kids into a top-rated medical school.  You see a really pretty castle . . . floating around in the sky.  Or maybe sitting on a cloud.

And so it is with Kelsey White’s seven year olds that she is currently teaching in South Korea.  Her affinity for the culture led her to pursue her dream of living there and since living generally requires an income, no matter where one might reside (other than a deserted island), she teaches.  Her little ones have named her “Kelsey Teacher” and, in the course of the year, have also learned that her mother died.

Not long ago, one of these precious children asked Kelsey, “Is Kelsey Teacher’s mom in SKY Castle?” and Kelsey, in the wisdom that comes with knowing how difficult a reality check can be with a seven year old, said yes.  And that yes led to a whole glorious and on-going conversation revolving around Kelsey Teacher’s mom and her current abode.

One child decided her deceased fish was with Kelsey Teacher’s mom; another mentioned their pet turtles that had gone on to greater things.  They, too, would be with Kelsey Teacher’s mom.  And a young boy who loves to pretend he’s flying declared that Kelsey Teacher’s mom was flying around SKY Castle—and singing.  Finally, in what can only be described as the sweetest, most child-like gesture imaginable, the little ones decided they should all wave to Kelsey Teacher’s mom.  And with innocent faces turned toward the heavens, they all stood and waved to Kelsey’s mother.  And so did Kelsey.

So, how do I know all this?  Because Kelsey’s sister, Haley, works with us in Savannah.  And she knew she had to share this story with me because, hiding just below its surface, was a blog waiting to be written.  Now, to know Haley is to love her and to be around her generally makes you feel far more positive about the world.  But it’s been hard for them since their mother died.  And yet, as Haley told me about “Kelsey Teacher’s mom” and Kelsey’s adorable students, her face lit up and her eyes sparkled.  These little ones, as yet untainted by adulthood and all the accompanying behavioral expectations, freely spoke of Kelsey and Haley’s mother in a manner that could only make you smile . . . and cry at the same time.  They pictured her in a magical place of beauty, watching over them while making friends with the fish and the turtles—and the humans—that had joined her.  And she was happy.  Honestly, as adults (if we have religious foundations) we pretty much believe the same thing.  Substitute a mansion for a castle and Heaven for a cloud . . . but we seem to have lost the joy these little ones find in the belief.  You can say they’re young and don’t know any better—and you would be at least half right—but perhaps that’s the greatest blessing of all where grief is concerned.

How comforting it would be if only we could see Death through their eyes.

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