Heaven is a place in earth

[rug]

August 17, 2013
S. E. Street

Both my parents were unrepentant atheists. They died recently, and there was no wavering as their time drew near. I was familiar with their wills: cardboard coffins, no religious service, and a family celebration at home.

They believed our existence was a mystery, there was no almighty creator in the sky, and our destiny was to be mere compost. They were both avid gardeners, exalted compost and wanted to be cremated, their ashes to be "scattered above the crowns of the forest elders at the apex of the valley of their youth".

Eventually they would reach the forest floor, decaying into their beloved compost, rich and friable, ideal for germination.

All laudably pragmatic. So why did I, a second-generation atheist, find myself floundering?

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/lifestyle/life/heaven-is-a-place-in-earth-20130817-2s3g6.html

[gopiscrap]

1. So is Hell, Michigan

Paradise, Indiana and Purgatory, Colorado

[No Vested Interest]

2. Almost heaven.....

West Virginia.

[Jim__]

3. That's a beautiful essay.

She comes close to describing experiences that are indescribable. I don't know why she denies that the bird is a sign. It really wouldn't affect her atheism.

[edhopper]

4. If by sign

you mean a symbol to make her think about her Mom and Dad, sure.
If you mean a signal sent from some mystical realm or her parents from beyond, then it would be counter to her non-belief.

[cbayer]

5. Issues around death and grieving are universal. Sometimes being a believer

or a non-believer make absolutely no difference.