(no subject)

[terrypurple73]

My roommate Erin frequently makes comments along the lines of, "Man, I can't wait to go to Heaven!" or "Heaven's gonna be great!" Today, it was, "Think of the most fun you've ever had- it's going to be at least fifty-eight times better than that!" And as bizarre as all these comments are, they've really been helping me. My grandpa died last week, and as I knelt down in front of his casket to pray on Friday, I kept thinking how much fun I'm certain he's having, right now, even knowing that we're still here mourning for him.

I used to not believe in an afterlife. I don't know when that changed. I'm certain Erin was a factor in that.

I've decided that I think a part of us is already in heaven, so that when someone else gets there who needs us, we're already there. I can't believe that heaven would be heaven for my grandpa without my grandma there, even though as far as I can see, she is still in MN.

I can't believe how good it was to be home for a few days this past week. I sort of didn't want to come back to Denver. I wanted to stay at my Minnesota home for a week, at least. I don't know that I'll ever get used to not coming home to my family at least every two months, like I did when I was in school. I was homesick for Minnesota before I even left the state. This is probably a clue that I won't be in Denver for the rest of my life. Not that I thought I would be, but.... Mana came home, too, for the funeral, which was wonderful. If family wasn't super enough on their own, Mana helps even more. My mom said at one point before the service, "I see you have your rock with you," as Mana and I walked arm in arm.

I was glad to come back to Casa Cristina, though. Maura clapped when I came in the house, and Nicky put her arm around me for the whole rest of the meeting that I walked in on in our living room. Later on, Nicky played her guitar as I dozed off with my arm around Kelsey (the dog), laying in Ryan's bed. (Just like last year, all the girls in Ryan's room!) It was a nice evening, and being welcomed back to this home made me feel better about coming back to Colorado.

So, welcome, November. October was pretty super, but so exhausting. Maybe I'll find a way to slow down a little this month....

Comments

[whoiskatie.livejournal.com]

Sorry to hear about your grandpa. I'm praying for you. I was thinking about you, and I had sort of a revelation about job stuff, and I wanted to talk about it with you, because I knew that you would understand. I'm probably going to journal about it, but I may call sometime soon anyway.

Much love,

Katie

[eowyn142.livejournal.com]

Ron and Nancy got the house but Sid and Nancy rule
I died 8 years ago I'm still a legend at my high school
I stole a Chevy and I wrapped it round a tree
But that's OK cause no one's gonna make the next century
I'm up in heaven now they say I'm here to stay
Where the clouds are really puffy and the angels sing every day
Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia, Wo-oh . . .

The cafeteria's got everything it's gonna drive me mad
Cause it looks just like a big Hawaiian party that my mother had
It's like the worst Elvis film I've ever seen
Technicolor luau all on technicolor green
There's camping trips and donkey rides and singing round the fire
And they signed me up for surfing
But they can't get me in the choir
Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia, Wo-oh . . .

But there she was this morning getting fitted for her wings
Leather boots magenta hair and saying nasty things
I'd say she was an angel but it's stupid and it's obvious
I said you'll hate it here cause we're the only ones like us
It's crypto-fascist mania it's silicon deliria
Yeah, she said, you're right, but I like the cafeteria
. . . . . . . . . . . .

Hey God we're the bad kids we're so nasty mean and vile
God looks like a guidance counselor God's got that smile
God says, how could this be, that's really odd
I guess I'll have to check my records, silly me, you know, I'm only
God . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The waves are perfect and the sun will always shine
But there's got to be more to death than surfing all the time
I know the signs of self-destruction so I try to stop each new kid
Don't be like me, forever young, forever stupid
Yeah, I found love here but I'll bet you'll find it there
Where they don't always make the same joke
Gee you make a heavenly pair
Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia

[terrypurple73.livejournal.com]

The next day after I read this, I was in the mood to listen to this CD, but I hadn't recognized her lyrics from your comment. I had just assumed I didn't know the song. Then I heard the words about the cafeteria, and I was like, "Kelly!"

And it made me laugh.

I hope you're well, Sunshine. You should visit me next time you're in Denver (while I'm there, I mean. I'm not there for Thanksgiving).
love,
~Terry

Hugs and Prayers

[cupooh.livejournal.com]

Hi Theresa,

Sorry to hear about your grandpa, my grandfather passed away last month and I had a similar revelation going home to North Iowa for the first time in a while. I'll be praying for you and if you ever wanna chat just drop me a message on my journal ;)

Shennen

[jylllynn.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry about your grandpa and I'm glad you had a good trip home (I'm selfishly bitter that you didn't at least call me and maybe grab a cup of coffee) I tried calling you the other week and left a message on a no descript answering machine. I hope it was yours, because thats the only number I had for you. Call me!

[peachnettie.livejournal.com]

Sorry, babe. Let me know if I can do anything to help.

[weather-becky.livejournal.com]

Terry - I'm sorry to hear about your Grandpa, but it's really inspiring to see your outlook on it. I'll be keeping you and your family in my prayers, and please just drop me a line if you want to talk. (Or call - I'm only an hour away and can be there in a jiffy!)

[terrypurple73.livejournal.com]

(This is entry # 500!)