Comments on The Journey: Truth

I just finished reading "The Last Lecture" by Rand...

2008-07-25T19:45:00.000-05:00

I just finished reading "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch and the following passage really resonated with me. In particular, it made me think about you, LE and what I would do if I had to have this conversation with any of my children (I, too, have a three year old daughter and cannot fathom walking along the same path you are forced to journey now). Like the others who have posted comments, I don't know what awaits us after death, but I believe that there is something and that it is beautiful. But, back to the book...

'I heard from a man in his early forties with serious heart problems. He wrote to tell me about Krishnamurti, a spiritual leader in India who died in 1986. Krishnamurti was once asked what is the most appropriate thing to say to a friend who is about to die. He answered: "Tell your friend that in his death, a part of you dies and goes with him. Wherever he goes, you also go. He will not be alone." In his email to me, this man was reassuring: "I know you are not alone."'

You are not alone, LE and I wish for you and LW from the core of my being that she will go with you many years from now and not the other way around.

The Rev. Roderick Stebbins, minister of my church ...

2008-07-24T10:06:00.000-05:00

The Rev. Roderick Stebbins, minister of my church about a century ago, once preached that in our liberal tradition we do not presume to take a vision of the afterlife "out of the hands of God, where we are willing reverently to leave it," but he also spoke of "the hope that, having done our best, God will do his best, and his best will be better than we dare hope or think."

Regardless of what we may imagine about the sweet bye and bye, in the meantime, as he said, all we can do is hope and think. And do our best. And jeezum crow, how you're doing all three.

Damn, you're going to make a great minister one day.

I dunno, but I have faith that whatever it is, it'...

2008-07-23T22:47:00.000-05:00

I dunno, but I have faith that whatever it is, it's alright. So many have gone before. The universe is cheering us on, how could it not be alright?

And, I think when it comes down to it, none of us ...

2008-07-22T19:22:00.000-05:00

And, I think when it comes down to it, none of us really know. How could we know know really know? To me, that is the whole mystery and wonder of it all that there are still things that we cannot know with our simple, human, earthly selves. I have always felt strongly that the experiences that people have with what is Beyond us are authentic, even if they are not a direct reflection of Reality. And have erred on the side of, "There is no way we can know exactly about the Hereafter, so we might as well imagine it as we hope it will be." So in my mind, the Hereafter involves playing with kittens, hanging with Mammaw and Pappaw and Aunt Carol and Bob, sitting on a porch, breaking beans, singing and talking. Will it be exactly that? Who knows, but I do believe it will be something equally as wonderful. I appreciate your thoughts on this, and also how real and painful and timely they are. I pray with every ounce of my soul that neither you nor LW will have any good reason to Really need such assurances for many many many many years. Yet, I understand why you think of such things. I hate it and I understand it. Peace, Elizabeth

That seems like the exact right thing to do. I kn...

2008-07-22T18:24:00.000-05:00

That seems like the exact right thing to do. I know when my grandmother died (at 85) she was concerned whether or not her deceased husband was waiting for her in heaven. I know it was a great comfort to think that he was. That she would see him again.

True story:A friend of mine was present at her fat...

2008-07-22T18:17:00.000-05:00

True story:

A friend of mine was present at her father's death. She had a vision, her mother (who died years before) reaching for her father, both of them looking young again. It happened at the moment of his death. Her sister, also present, didn't see it but knew mom was there. My friend is very spiritual, having had brain tumor surgery some years ago and still living with the remnants of the tumor. She absolutely believed what she saw as truth, and as she told me my thought was, "it's true, heaven is real!"

While I've heard of near death persons talking about seeing heaven, this was someone looking in, getting a glimpse, and what a comfort. Even though my faith had told me heaven was real, ever since hearing her story, I know it's true.

That sounds like the right thing to do, LE. I'd w...

2008-07-22T16:54:00.000-05:00

That sounds like the right thing to do, LE. I'd want to share those picture books too.

What I believe is that when we die, we rise to a new level of understanding. And I do believe I will see my loved ones. And that they will also have that new level of understanding, maybe way beyond mine. And we will hug and kiss and talk about old times and be together.

And I don't care whether that's rational or not. But the truth is, "I dunno" either.