If I could send an email to heaven...

Today we would have been celebrating Aaron's birthday and as I was checking my emails this morning, I found myself thinking, "If I could send an email to heaven, what would I say?"

I would tell him how much we miss him and what a big hole there is in our lives without him, But then I thought of all these questions that I would want to ask him, Much like you would when your child is off to camp...are you happy, are you having a good time, are you making new friends, etc.

But that is silly when I think of him in heaven. Of course he's happy--beyond words--and in a place that is beyond all that we can hope or imagine. So my questions are more like this...

What's the place like that Jesus had prepared for you? Will you send pictures?
Can you go check out the place that He is preparing for me? What's it like? Is it right next door to you?

What is it like to be face to face with Jesus? Is it too incredible to even speak? Or can you have an intimate conversation? How does he manage to know all of us so intimately? And do you really have ALL the answers to all our tough questions now that you're there?

Are the streets really made of gold? Or is that just a way to say they are more beautiful than anything I can imagine? Is there a gate of pearls? What about all those beautiful creatures we read about with wings and many heads? Seen any of those?

What's the food like? One of my favorite memories of you is how you would bound down the stairs at the announcement that there is dessert!

You know how I love good worship! I can only imagine how beautiful the worship must be. Or are you so in awe that the words don't come? Maybe it's just the sound of the angels singing that surrounds you. I'd love to know--can you download something to iTunes and send it to me?

I remember when you gave some money to missions. I'd love to know what came of that! Have you met any of those people that are there because of you?

Did you recognize your grandparents? Were they there to welcome you? There weren't many people that you knew that went before you, so I'm wondering...do you automatically know everyone that's there? Will you be able to welcome us when we get there or will you even know it's us? Your Uncle Kerry just got there...have you seen him? Is his mansion close to yours?

What is your body like? I know you are completely healed, but what do you look like now? Can you really enjoy all those feasts and not gain a pound? I wish you could send a picture!

Do you have a job to do? How do you spend your time? Oh wait!...there is no time! How can I possibly imagine that?

Knowing that you're there makes me long for heaven even more! You can't imagine how much we'd love to see you again and hear your voice.

Until we do...when we see a beautiful sunrise or sunset, or enjoy the power and beauty of the ocean, or take in the beautiful scenery around us, we will consider it just a taste of heaven--a fraction of the beauty that surrounds you. And we will think of you and how you are experiencing that eternal joy of being with Jesus that we long for. And when we worship, we will let the words of the songs and music surround us as just a taste of what we will enjoy when we join you!

Love, Mom