Every day I see people who talk about how grand heaven will be. They talk
of its supposed beauty and splendor, and I can't help but wonder what has
happened to make this life so bad that the only consolation they seem to be
able to find is in the dream of an infinitely perfect afterlife. To me, that idea
sounds horrible, and I'll happily tell you why.
You see, I've come to recognize that our lives are like stories in an amazing
book. The greatest thing about any story is that it has a beginning and an
end. When the story is good we dread getting to the end - but we also crave
it. We need the ending and the resolution that it brings. Each time I watch a
movie that turns out to have an intended sequel that continues the story, I
find myself to be fraught with anticipation. I need the ending. When you
think about life in those terms, a life without end sounds like a story I'm just
not interested in. Even the best stories become tedious if they go on too
long.
And what of the pain and suffering? Surely I want a life without those...
right? The simple truth is that I wouldn't trade a moment of pain and
suffering I've experienced for all the wealth this world has to offer. Sure,
those moments still hurt to this day, but they remind me of just how much
I've been through to get where I am now. They remind me of all my hard
work and sacrifice and all the hardships I've overcome. They are a part of
me, and without them I simply wouldn't know who I am today.
It's all part of the experience - part of my story. It's part of all of our stories.
The tears remind us that we feel and the scars reminds us we are temporary
and mortal. Without them, who would we be? I wouldn't trade that for the
life of a perfect automaton. The truth is that I love this life and although I
would love for it to be better, I don't want to lose the things that give it
meaning and those things come with consequences both good and bad.
A Dedication
This blog is for my wife and my children, for my friends and my family, and
for all those who have contributed in helping me write the story that is my
life. Thank you all for giving my life meaning and purpose. Thank you for
taking the time to know me and love me inspite of all my faults. This one is
for you.
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