Thanks to David Cho, I have done something that I probably would have never even thought of doing. Below is my entry to NPR's "This I Believe" essay contest. Thanks David for information and vote of confidence on your site.


Eternal Families

From birth, death was present in my life. I don’t remember ever being told that Grandpa had passed away when my dad was only 20, instead it presented itself as a knowledge base that innately existed. Grandpa is a man that I never knew in this life, yet there was still a feeling of connection that I couldn’t overlook. That began my search that has created a solid foundation of knowing that a loving Heavenly Father has made it possible for families to be together forever.

I have fuzzy memories of my great-grandma. I was still very young when she passed to the other side, but my heart still remembers very clearly the love that I have for this sweet German immigrant. Running through her house with cousins, family reunions at the park and of course, Christmas parties where Santa made an appearance. I don’t remember her funeral, but I still have memories that make me smile and her love in my heart.

The questions continued to formulate in my young mind. Where did she go? Am I ever going to see her again? What happens when I die?

I questioned my parents and religious leaders. Specific answers were given which were acceptable logically, but it didn’t make me feel any better. I needed my heart to understand what was happening. I needed to know what occurred when the spirit left the mortal body. When I was a little older, with the questions still stirring, I went to the only place where I knew there was discussion about death….the scriptures.

I read about Christ’s death and then about the miraculous resurrection that occurred three days later. The part that grabbed my attention however was the fact that Christ was teaching individuals in the Spirit World. That meant that there was life after death. The spirit doesn’t die, just the body and that meant the people I love are still existing. My heart was relieved and a quiet calm ran from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. As discussions and understanding has grown over the years, for me death no longer is something to fear.

Funerals no longer hold the same meaning. I have come to know that they are ceremonies to celebrate the life of that person and to say good bye for but a short season. As I have lost other grandparents with whom I have had extremely close relationships. I know that although they might not be with me physically, they are still involved in my life. I know that I have ancestors that are watching with anticipation and encouragement as I make decisions in my life. I have angels watching over me, caring for me and sustaining me when my strength is gone.

When the time comes my spirit will pass through the veil that separates me from my kindred dead, and I will be met by the loving familiar faces of my family, never to be separated again.