Dirty Old Rags

Book excerpt: One day when Kyle was 10 years old, he came sliding outside to the porch I was sitting on. "Momma, what does Heaven look like?" I said, "Well, Bub, I know the Bible says there are streets of gold, and I know there is a big pearly gate. I'm not sure what all the Bible says about it. Go get your Bible, and we'll look it up." I had never considered looking this up before, but Kyle found it very important that day. I knew there was a description, but I didn't know where. I knew there was a pearly gate, but I didn't realize there were gates on all sides of Heaven: North, South, East and West (Rev 21:21). We spent the next few minutes looking at my wedding ring, talking about the streets of gold and different types of jewels one might see. Next, he asked me a question that would change my family and friends' lives. His big blue eyes were worried. He asked me, "How will I find you there?" For years, I have been protective of my children. If we went to Walmart, "This is where you meet me if you get lost." When we went grocery shopping, "You stay here if you get separated from me." At the park, "We'll meet at the swings." I said, "Bubba, can you pick a gate, and remember it even if you live to be 100 years old?" "Yeah" he said. "All right, pick a gate, and if I get to Heaven before you do, I'll be waiting at that gate. If you get there first, you wait for me there, okay?"