Life after death

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.

Thank you for your post. It is lovely and contains words for each of us to live by.

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.

Grieving the death of a child is the ultimate tragedy and I feel so sorry you are going through this. My deepest condolences. I read a great blog posting by a Mom who wrote of losing her son. I'm attaching her post and hope you receive the great sense of peace that I received reading it. God Bless you and NEVER LOSE YOUR FAITH because our Father is ALWAYS with you!
https://thelife.com/faith-after-losing-my-son
My Best,
Carla

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.

I really like your photo attached to your handle. It looks like something I've seen in the Southwest. Would you mind sharing what it is, where it's located, and why you chose it? I've enlarged it for a better look, because it's such a serene, intriguing image. I may have seen it before. Thanks.