Life after death

Thank you so much. I am smiling through my tears.

Am in Canada and appreciate being able to participate in mayo connect chats. Older with several non life threatening but life altering illnesses and a sprinkle of depression and anxiety - how my life has changed! I was referred to an organization which has activities for "seniors" which I really am not that interested in but all of a sudden my attention went to their web site and monthly group called "The Death Cafe" - I was a little taken aback but on reading, and this group has other similar groups in other towns and cities and seems its discussion by people from all walks of life about many aspects of death, living, dying .. it's not about medically assisted death or euthanasia ; does not have guest speakers who have their own "agenda" etc., but discussion/thoughts about our inevitable deaths so am curious. I rarely go out but am contemplating gong to the August meeting - which is held by a group using facilities in our local college/university and is for any age just pre register. It says one can attend and not even talk about our feelings, just listen ... am quite interested what others have to say, as have my own views which I would keep to myself first meeting to see if it's something is discussed that will help me and my thoughts and also if I can express my those thoughts in a friendly environment. Just found out about this in Province I live so not sure if cross-border? If I do attend will try and give some info but maybe basic info is on Internet .. if I can then again find this comment box/area! J.

I love Death Cafes--although the only one I attend is on zoom and is mostly composed of international artists (based in Canada). It is free, and from the educational residency Art Loves Science/Ayatana/Biophilium. An artist or writer presents each month, using work based on themes of death. It has been fascinating. I hope you find something you like to attend.

Anyone for ice cream?

I am a 75-year-old male. I had attended Catholic schools from first grade though 12th.
I can remember thinking at the time that how can we be happy in heaven if all we are doing is worshiping God? And to do that for ever and ever sure didn't seem like a paradise.

But one early evening, when I was 18 years old, I lay on my bed for just a short nap. I was in perfect health.
Well, I guess my questions were answered. I fell asleep and woke up in a place more beautiful than I could imagine. I looked down at my feet and saw that I was standing on this small patch of green grass. Upon looking up, I gazed upon rolling hills of this green grass before me. The sky was bright blue and hosted several large, white, cumulus clouds. As I gazed to my left there was an amazing growth of vegetation with tall, vibrant trees. Along the edge of this growth was a babbling brook which appeared to be flowing from behind me on my left to in front of me, but still on my left. On the side of the brook that was closest to me, at a distance of about 30 feet away, there was a large, black granite rock. Upon the rock sat the most gorgeous woman I had ever seen. She was clothed in a white robe and was barefoot. She had long, blonde hair, and she glowed. Her radiance was mesmerizing. I remember the thoughts that went through my mind even to this day, 57 years later. I remember thinking that I had questioned what it would be like to just worship God all the time for eternity; and how can this not become boring? Well, that thought was immediately answered. I remember vividly thinking that I COULD STAND IN THIS ONE SPOT FOR ALL ETERNITY AND BE SO HAPPY. I CAN REMEMBER THIINKING THAT THERE ARE NO WORDS ON EARTH THAT CAN BEGIN TO DESCRIBE THE JOY THAT I AM FEELING IN THIS PLACE. I FELT LIKE I WAS IN AN OCEAN OF THE MOST PERFECT LOVE THAT INFILTRAED EVERY ASPECT OF MY EXISTANCE. THEN I FOCUSED MY ATTENTION ON THE BEAUTIFUL WOMAN SITTING ON THE BLACK GRANITE ROCK. SHE REACHED OUT TO ME WITH HER LEFT HAND, OFFERING ME A VANILLA ICE CREAM CONE. SHE SPOKE TO ME WITHOUT WORDS. SHE SAID, "THIS IS FOR YOU. IT DOES NOT NEED TO BE SHARED WITH YOUR SISTER. IT IS SPECIAL JUST FOR YOU." I FELT SO LOVED. THEN A VOICE WAS HEARD. I SUSPECT IT WAS THE VOICE OF GOD SAYING, "YOU HAVE TO GO BACK, ALEX." "BUT I DON'T WANT TO GO BACK," I REPLIED. "YOU HAVE TO GO BACK, ALEX." I WAS IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT BACK TO THE BLACK AND WHITE WORLD OF EARTH.

For over 57 years I could not understand the significance of the vanilla ice cream cone. I was always embarrassed to convey this event to anyone because of the unexplained part of the ice cream cone. It made the event seem so childish. But just recently, I was given the answer. Jesus said that we must become like little children in order to enter into the kingdom of heaven. Ref. Matthew 18:2-5. And there it is. Children and ice cream are a marriage made in heaven.

So, I do not fear death. I know I will be in a place of joy beyond comprehension. A place where all we need is the love of God. We will feel God's love permeate our existence and we reciprocate that love for Him. And He provides all that we need - even vanilla ice cream cones made especially for each of us.

Ah what a lovely and amazing event in your life. Your recall is so vivid. Maybe around age 18 too I used to wonder about Heaven and Hell, although my family were "Christians" did not go to church, but my brother and I "Sunday school" ... also in UK "schools then religious instruction" was one lesson per week, and Assembly and a Hymn every morning and The Lord's Prayer. I did not understand why but the Jewish children sat outside in the hallway every morning.
I suppose I started wondering with my own family, my Grandmother lived with us.... her husband dying leaving her with four young children. As she was ageing I wondered if and when she died and went to Heaven, would she again meet her beloved husband and would she be as she was , in her 20s when she died, or as she would be - in her 80s when she died - and had he remained "young."
I then met relatives in Canada and and old distant relative and her second husband and as just young myself again wondered if when she died would she go to Heaven and would she meet both her husbands there? Over the years the visions of Heaven with Angels, and Hell with fire and the Devil, have faded... yet when I was diagnosed with cancer and given 40 per cent chance of living five yeas (in 1985) I had a strong feeling that should I die soon, my "spirit" would go to, or return, to a sphere ... to a "creator" or to the beginning of our Universe and that I would again be joined with my Dad .. too long a chat to continue but I suppose for each of us we have personal feelings of what might happen ; I am not afraid of dying, my children are adults, I have had many ups and downs in my life but am satisfied with it although I made a lot of wrong choices. But I am afraid of suffering..... as my mother did for ten years before her death, as my ex did for several years before his and of course many other human beings in many countries of the world from babies to the aged.
As they say: there is only one way to find out! Or we may be like trees and plants, have a life expectancy and when it is over sooner or later, become part of our Earth.
Whatever everyone believes, I hope that for ALL humans there is at the very end "Peace"

This is a fascinating and compelling idea...and I especially like the low-key approach that you can just go and listen.
I'm going to see if I can find such a thing in my area. Thank you, and hope to hear about it if you do go in August.
Hugs.

....thanx brandy, I just found out that in Aug. no meeting but one in September but will describe if I go... never know how I will feel from one day to the next these days, but something about it is drawing me there ! Take care, J.

Sincere condolences on losing your son. There may be a chapter of The Compassionate Friends that you might consider joining. If you haven't hear of them already, they are for parents who have lost a child. I don't think there's any one answer to your deep question about "life after death." For me (loss of significant other 1 year ago), writing about my experiences of his early and ongoing presence-which has changed over time-has helped.

I read an article about a Neanderthal cave burial that was excavated. The body was that of an older, crippled man. Someone had provided and cared for him for many years. Before he was buried, his body was covered with wild flowers. He must have been loved very much. I don't know how anyone can cope with the death of someone whom they dearly loved, unless they have hope that they will see them again in a place without sickness, pain, hunger, or infirmity. The Bible says that faith is the essence of things hope for, the evidence of things not seen. I have no fear of death because I have hope for better things to come.

So true Valerie - don't know how we'll feel, or what can help me feel either:
- better (many times it seems if I had a good/positive dream (that I remember) the night before, I wake up more optimistic); or,
- worse (a bad dream can start me off at a disadvantage), as can a strained or difficult encounter or experience with a thoughtless person (at a store, while driving, or remembering a recent such encounter, or thinking about past and present family issues to my detriment - i.e., ruminating!).

Best wishes as you make a plan to attend this September meeting. (Frankly, I'm a bit nervous that it might attract morose folks, more to the point - people who like horror films, evil thoughts, whatever...sounds a bit silly when put into writing, but maybe you get the idea...?)

But I have been troubled in the past with how little people discuss or consider the inevitable, and how much more power over the present that gives the subject of death than (maybe?) it warrants; that is what draws me to a group that seems to seek to dispel that power.

I'll continue to check into it online...welcome any further insights you get from this venture at any time!

Best! BrandyS.