Creative Writing Challenge #24 - Write a short description of Heaven.

My view of Heaven as a child was that of angels with fluffy snow-white wings and golden harps.  I imagined walking on clouds and being welcomed by hordes of people, known and unknown to me, bearing armloads of all the things I loved best (mostly that ribbon candy you get at Christmas!!), along with every pet I'd ever had.

These days, I am not convinced that angels sit on clouds and play music all day.  And I don't especially care for harp music, so that's fine with me.  I prefer to imagine being a bodiless mind streaking across the universe, stopping at all the spots I always wanted to visit but didn't.  I also hope that there's not a time barrier; I'd love to see some of those places and things as they were before we destroyed them with out greed and irresponsibility.  I like to think that I will be able to visit my loved ones left on earth whenever I please and do all sorts of neat things for them to let them know that I'm close by.  I certainly want to be able to protect them from harm, as I know my father has done for me countless times since he died.

The person most responsible for my current view of Heaven is my beautiful friend, Vera Ellen, who died almost a year ago from complications due to the ineptitude of the hospital where her beloved oncologist practiced medicine.  Had the hospital only listened to the man, Vera Ellen might be with us still.  But that is a blog for another day.

When Vera Ellen died, she visited her husband, Sam, in his dreams.  She told him she was "traveling, doing fine, and in the company of many of those she loved most."  Some would say Sam just dreamed what he wanted.  I say bullshit.  I believe in the next life.  In fact, I believe in the possibility of many next lives.  And, to me, Vera Ellen's message was one of hope and light and love.

And Heaven!!