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"We're starting to look at heaven in a different light. The Puritans spent so much time talking about heaven. Jason recently heard a sermon that said the reason for so much materialism in our world right now is that we've taken our eyes off of heaven and we're looking for this place to be the comfort that it is not."
- Kara Tippets, in "Dying with Grace," ByFaith magazine, Q1.15

I spent the afternoon with my friends. He is in hospice care at home, sitting up in his wheelchair and out of bed for the first time in a couple of weeks. We listened to discussion about paperwork and care providers. We watch the muted tv screen, stealing glances at silly adults dressed up for Let's Make a Deal and laughing at the plaintiff ordered by Judge Judy to spit out her gum. We muttered out loud prayers that a strong man would be available to help him back into bed. Tommy, a gentle hulk of a man, arrived as an answer- and with a strong step and miraculous turn, danced him back to bed. We set up the Caring Bridge site, and enjoyed one another. I left with a smile of thankfulness.

The air felt warm today, and seemed to mock the warning of the cold front to come. On the way back down the county road, the sunflowers called me over. I pulled off onto the shoulder, clicked on the flashing hazard lights, and waded through the tall grass. The flowers wave and sway in the breeze and never quite stop still to pose. They are a bright spot, but they are temporal. Already their petals are drying up and their leaves are beginning curl and sag.

I, too, am starting to look at heaven in a different light.