I often think about my special place in heaven and all the possibilities it can be,
I do not think it is a palace but a cabin in the woods not far from the sea.
With a little stone pathway leading up to the door,
It’ll have a grand fire place and knotty pine floors.
It will creak when I walk and the fire will spit,
This home in the clouds is my perfect fit.
Books galore will abound my walls without a gap,
My own slice of heaven to read in while my cat takes a nap in my lap.
Every day will feel like Christmas with my Lord by my side,
And what else would we do together but go for a ride?
Oh Captain my Captain, steadfast and true,
My horse will carry me swiftly through my forest at my cue.
Snowflakes will swirl down from the black velvety sky,
And I’ll wave to the deer as they pass us by.
Night will no longer mean darkness with my Lord by me,
All fears from earth will have no choice but to flee.
No words are needed as hooves crunch the fresh fallen snow,
On our way to the sea to watch the tide come and go.
“Life’s a little like the tide” He might say, giving reference to my favorite book,
When we break through the edge of the forest He’ll give me a soft and knowing look.
And though the snow falls behind us the beach will be warm,
And the seagulls will circle peacefully and never swarm.
My whole family will be there, my husband, my daughter,
Aunts, uncles, cousins, sisters, my mother and father.
We’ll frolic and play with laughter on our lips,
There won’t be a single hurt feeling between us as we go to take a dip.
The ocean will gently rock us this way and that,
And we’ll look up at cotton ball clouds as we lay on our backs.
The sun will set when we finally come to shore,
As we delight in the assurance that tomorrow will hold more.
We’ll sit by the fire while my husband sings and plays,
My daughter will join in with the sweetest of displays.
And throughout it all Jesus will be there,
While the crackling fire dries the salt water in our hair.
A sweet and silent observer who radiates love,
While the stars twinkle in the clear sky above.
And then I will return to Captain to ride back home,
To my little cabin in the woods to be greeted by a gnome.
He diligently watches over my flowers and my herbs,
With a pale and a shovel, he’s never perturbed.
No one in heaven is ever angry over the work they’ve been called to do,
Work is fruitful and each day it brings forth something new.
I leave Captain outside where he freely roams and grazes,
While I go inside to scribble some turns of phrases.
I create characters and stories that bring others delight,
The rumble of a plane overhead signals my husband’s flight.
Above the clouds he soars with the stars and the moon,
My heart softens and warms to know I’ll see him soon.
We’re not married in heaven as we were on earth,
The relationship is pure and perfect when we both feel our worth.
I write by candlelight though the glow is never dim,
Jesus is its fuel because in heaven everything is Him.
He is the sun and the ground, he is the wind and the trees,
He is the hush of snowfall when there is no breeze.
And when I lay in a bed as comfy as a cloud,
Bob will purr by my ear as I sleep soft and sound.
I’ll speak aloud my prayers and praises as I converse with my God,
In my mind I can see Him giving me a proud smile and nod.
This is my personal heaven, my castle in the sky,
Have you given any thought to yours as time ticks slowly by?
It’s delightful to think what awaits us on the other side,
Where life is not over but continues in stride.
Merry Christmas to you all, my family and friends,
Take comfort in knowing something beautiful awaits you when you reach the end.
Post Script
Poems are not my forte, so please be forgiving. I don’t know what came over me this morning as I drove into work, except that it was the most beautiful sunrise of rose and wisteria I’d ever seen and it stirred the Spirit inside me. It’s true this is something I dream of often, though I’m sure we can never in our wildest dreams imagine what riches await us when we reach heaven. This Christmas know there is hope, you can have joy and peace, and love is all around us. That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown! God bless you all! Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Alex Apostol
Alex Apostol 