GUEST AUTHOR
ighten the load
Gift ideas for grandparents to buy to help grandchildren understand the hope we can have after life on Earth is over
By Kelly Wheeler
As a parent or grandparent , have you ever really stopped and pondered the approach to take if faced with explaining the difficult topic of death or the loss of a loved one to a child ?
Thanks to a conversation between Ryan Fortenberry , currently serving as a lieutenant with Cullman County Sheriff ’ s Office , and his son , Micah , an idea for a children ’ s book came to life nearly 13 years ago , but was just recently illustrated and published .
The core purpose of the book is designed to parent ’ s / grandparents lighten the load of explaining what happens to someone after their life on earth is over .
“ When my son , who is now 18 , was only 5 years , we were driving to soccer practice , and he asked me a pretty deep question ,” said Fortenberry . “ He wanted to know what happens to us when we die , and to be quite honest , I was completely surprised by his question .”
Fortenberry said he thought for a few minutes on the best way he could answer it so that his young child ’ s mind would understand .
However , as he reflected on the conversation that happened more than a decade ago , Fortenberry said he was actually the one who was surprised and amazed .
“ After I made my attempt to answer his question , his response completely caught me off guard ,” said Fortenberry .” In his deep little mind , he illustrated to me a fantastic truth of how we can see God through nature .”
The proud father said his son explained to him that we are all like caterpillars and that one day we will enter the cocoon and transform into a majestic butterfly .
“ Micah also explained to me that as a caterpillar , we only see what is in front of us ,” said Fortenberry . “ But when we transform into butterflies , we will then see eternity that we never really knew existed . “
Now , just recently , having become a published author of the book “ We are Like Caterpillars ,” based solely on that conversation , Ryan said he is able to take both aspects of
Ryan Fortenberry pictured with his family : his wife Julie , his daughter Kari Beth ( on left ) and son Micah ( on right ).
his life , law enforcement ( where he has served a total of 18 years — he worked in Jefferson County and Albertville before gaining employment with Cullman County ) and ministry , to share with others the simple explanation . “ It is just a great way to help kids and even adults understand what happens when people die , not to fear death , and truly explain what ‘ Heaven is about ’ to others ,” he said .
Just as Fortenberry tried to do when his son Micah was 5 .
“ Reflecting back over that conversation , I truly see that in a feeble attempt to address my son ’ s question , I was actually the one who learned something that day ,” he said . “ My response to his question was just to use the example of a tomato seed .”
Fortenberry said he told Micah that although the seed dies after planting it , it produces a plant that bursts through the ground with life .
“ I remember looking at Micah and seeing his little mind tick . He was just sitting there pondering what I was telling him ,” said Fortenberry . “ And then just out of nowhere , he completely caught me off guard when he illustrated to me how people can see God through nature .”
22 | SUMMER 2023 CULLMAN COUNTY SENIOR MAGAZINE