Lately there has been a lot of interesting discussion on these pages about heaven. Much of that discussion has been by old people. Nothing like getting toward the end of life  to think about the next big thing.Young people don’t think much about heaven. They’re to busy texting, tweeting, facebooking and watching Miley Cyrus. That is as it should be.         

I have thought about heaven. I would like to see my mom and dad, but I don’t want my mom to yell at me for leaving my clothes on the bathroom floor, and for sure I don’t want 90 year old dad accusing me of stealing his money, which by the way I did not do. I would look forward to playing golf at Augusta in heaven because it ain’t going to happen on earth. I wonder if I will still be a 28 handicap in heaven.

On the other hand, I’m not that interested in sitting for eternity at the right hand of God. Boring. By the way is it His right Hand when you’re looking at Him or His right hand. For sure the heaven of suspended animation consciousness is not for me. That’s wa too much like all those fetuses in jars at the Museum of Science and Industry. Creepy. 

I don’t think it’s wise to spend too much time thinking about heaven. For hundreds of years the 1% told the serfs and slaves that their short lives of suffering and servitude would be rewarded with heaven where everyday was a holiday , and you might get some meat on the weekend. Awesome. Deferred gratification has it’s place– just not as a world view. 

I suspect even  those of the strongest belief must harbor some doubt as to whether there is an afterlife other than nutrition  for the worms. For sure no one knows whether there is an afterlife, but really who cares. I know I would try to lead the same life as I have lived regardless. In fairness I don’t do ritual self-flagellation or fasting.             

So long as this heaven discussion is a kind of substitute for Charades or   Truth or Dare I see no problem. But  I plan I to  spend most of my time and energy enjoying the wonder, beauty and love of this world. If you do,  then what happens next will take care of itself. Carpe Diem.

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John is an Indiana native who moved to Oak Park in 1976. He served on the District 97 school board, coached youth sports and, more recently, retired from the law. That left him time to become a Wednesday...

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