"Don't you believe that Hitler is in Hell" my son-in-law asks.
We're in an after dinner conversation, after he's been tasked to babysit me while Sarah and Maddie take Che to a Kidzbop concert.
Henry's taken me to a quaint, and lovely, local Pizza place where our conversation began, covering an array of topics.
Now we're back in his and Maddie's home, sipping fine bourbon, taking about what happens after you die.
The bourbon is strong, yet smooth, loosening our tongues, but not rushing our words.
We've already touched on Heaven and, after I said that I think pretty much everyone gets in, he pivots to Hitler in Hell.
I shrug my shoulders.
"Who knows?" I smile, dropping one cube of ice in my bourbon.
Henry stays neat.
"I used to think those things," I continue, "passionately! But I don't think about such things anymore. How would I know if Hitler's in Hell? I've never been."
Henry toast me with his glass, as if to say, "Touché."
I don't think about most of the things I was taught growing up.
Not when it comes to dying anyway.
Henry's enjoying this conversation as he's thinking such things these days.
We go back and forth for over an hour, slowly sipping the bourbon, invigorated by the dialogue.
What's next?
I don't know.
I do know that regardless of if I'm dead and that's it, or something happens, either way, I can't be disappointed.
So that's a pretty good place to start.
I do think about my grandparents, Ira and Edith Carver, who taught me to believe all those years ago.
And I do.
In spite of how much religion, politics and the media (doesn't matter which kind) keep trying to kill it, I still believe in love.
"God is love," my grandparents taught me, so yeah, I hold on to this, even today.
In terms of what's next, I don't know.
Love has gotten me this far, and as messy as it sometimes was, it's all still Heavenly.
So, I'm counting on love, for whatever comes next.
So far, so good.
The door burst open and Che, Sarah and Maddie excitedly rush in, talking about the concert.
Henry and I do one last toast, draining our glasses.
Who cares about what's next?!
For now, there is only now.
We're in an after dinner conversation, after he's been tasked to babysit me while Sarah and Maddie take Che to a Kidzbop concert.
Henry's taken me to a quaint, and lovely, local Pizza place where our conversation began, covering an array of topics.
Now we're back in his and Maddie's home, sipping fine bourbon, taking about what happens after you die.
The bourbon is strong, yet smooth, loosening our tongues, but not rushing our words.
We've already touched on Heaven and, after I said that I think pretty much everyone gets in, he pivots to Hitler in Hell.
I shrug my shoulders.
"Who knows?" I smile, dropping one cube of ice in my bourbon.
Henry stays neat.
"I used to think those things," I continue, "passionately! But I don't think about such things anymore. How would I know if Hitler's in Hell? I've never been."
Henry toast me with his glass, as if to say, "Touché."
I don't think about most of the things I was taught growing up.
Not when it comes to dying anyway.
Henry's enjoying this conversation as he's thinking such things these days.
We go back and forth for over an hour, slowly sipping the bourbon, invigorated by the dialogue.
What's next?
I don't know.
I do know that regardless of if I'm dead and that's it, or something happens, either way, I can't be disappointed.
So that's a pretty good place to start.
I do think about my grandparents, Ira and Edith Carver, who taught me to believe all those years ago.
And I do.
In spite of how much religion, politics and the media (doesn't matter which kind) keep trying to kill it, I still believe in love.
"God is love," my grandparents taught me, so yeah, I hold on to this, even today.
In terms of what's next, I don't know.
Love has gotten me this far, and as messy as it sometimes was, it's all still Heavenly.
So, I'm counting on love, for whatever comes next.
So far, so good.
The door burst open and Che, Sarah and Maddie excitedly rush in, talking about the concert.
Henry and I do one last toast, draining our glasses.
Who cares about what's next?!
For now, there is only now.
🌻🌷🌸🌹
My Celebration of Life delightfully continues to linger but, after I'm gone, I ask you to make sure Sarah and Che are doing okay for me.
Please consider being part of their future at https://gofund.me/ffda4f4b
Thank you.
