Closing the book on Barbara Walters, Pope Benedict, and Pele and opening a book on Heaven

 In the last 3 days of 2022 3 cultural icons, game changers in their respected fields of sports, newscasting, and theology had their lives come to an earthly end.  To put it simply there was really no one like either Pele, Barbara Walters or Pope Benedict XVI.  Each of their lives were characterized  by a passion for their calling that transitioned into being a revered elder statesperson as their journeys continued.  

                                                                            Pele 1940 - 2022

Barbara Walters 1929 -2022

Pope Benedict XVI

While people were shuffling off this mortal coil left and right at years end, I was spending some time preparing for the new year.  Putting things away in proper places, working on the design and content of my blog, I even spent some time putting together books I'd like to read this year. One such book was a small 60 page pamphlet called Heaven by Randy Alcorn.   I collected the booklet somewhere in my travels, it is a book of answers to questions about Heaven.  The questions and answers were culled from a bigger book by Alcorn, also called Heaven.  

I'm not really trying to tie in the recent deaths of international icons with a book I'm preparing to read.  When my Grandfather died in late 1997 I had just proposed to Amy.  At the wake, I felt like discussing my engagement would be taking away from the celebration of my Grandpa's life.  I remember my Dad encouraging me to talk about it.  He said that people needed to be reminded that life goes on even in the midst of death.  In the same way, I think making plans for the future and reading up on my future home are good ways for life to go on.

I hope all of you are enjoying a woinderful beginning to your new year.  

 Love,

Dave.