My daughter, Kendall, recommended that I read Heaven is for Real - a four year old boy's astounding story of his trip to heaven and back. It was written by his father, Todd Burpo, and published in 2010. Kendall was shopping at Costco, found the book, and dropped it by this week. It's a quick read and hard to put down.This is the kind of story that if you're already a believer in Jesus Christ and in heaven, the story will solidify your beliefs. If you are a skeptic with an open heart, you may be less so after reading the story. And if you are a non-believer, you probably won't want to read it anyway because it might just touch you. I read the story and it helped me think of heaven in a new way.
My sister is there - heaven that is. Her name is Gloria Jean Bateman. She died at birth a few years before I was born. I know the loss must have been very hard for my mother because she refused to name me until after I was born. In fact, my name was the result of a baby shower given after my birth at which all the guests put name suggestions in a hat. Mom picked out two names, Bonita and Gayleen. Thank goodness she decided to shorten that handle to Bonnie Lee.
I didn't even know about my sister until I was in grade school, going through boxes that I probably shouldn't have, and finding a small box that read, Ashes of Gloria Jean Bateman. I asked mom about the box and she told me the story. I cried.
This past week, in addition to reading about the experience of a small child, I had the privilege of spending time with three little ones, Alivia, Ben, and Quinn. It was Alivia's first birthday party, grandson Ben's nine month photo shoot, and Quinn's family picture time. They're all so beautiful, so curious, and so open. It's understandable that children can have a special connection, not only to loved ones on earth, but those in heaven as well.
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