Swear words and the afterlife
Finally, we got to the important stuff in sign language class last night–a short list of the most useful swear words. Now I can go on Howard Stern.
Do any of you remember that movie Children of a Lesser God? Remember when Marlee Matlin cussed out William Hurt, her hands flying and gesticulating? I’m all over that now. I know what she was saying. I’m going to rent the movie again and practice.
At the end of class each week our teacher goes around the circle and asks us a question so we can practice putting sentences together. Last night’s question was, “Do you like it here on earth?” Turns out she’s the only one of us who doesn’t, and that’s because she’s already been to the other side and would like to return there as soon as possible, please.
It’s not because she’s depressed–far from it. It’s because she’s had two strokes, and each time had a near-death experience. She saw it all: the tunnel, the angels, God. God is not an old man with a long white beard, she told us. He–It–is a glorious beam of light. Colored light, as if it were streaming through the most beautiful stained glass window ever created. She said being in God’s presence, she felt complete and overpowering love. It was the most peaceful and joyous experience she had ever had. And when she got sent back–not once, but twice–she was fairly pissed.
I believe. Let me just get that right out there before anyone thinks they can smirk and I’ll smirk back. I believe there is far more to this universe and our existence than what we can sift through our fingers. I believe there is life beyond this one. I believe no matter how far science will take us in our understanding of the universe, it will never be able to answer that one last question of what happens when the lights go out. I’m okay with that mystery. In fact, I prefer it.
When my friend Carolyn’s mother was dying last year, she kept trying to tell Carolyn what it was like over there. She’d stare off into space, the most rapturous look on her face. “What do you see, Mom?” Carolyn would ask, and her mother would try to explain, but each time she’d end up frustrated, saying, “I can’t tell you.”
Why? Because she couldn’t describe it, or because she wasn’t allowed to? Listening to my teacher last night, I think it was the former. Maybe the only proper words are “love” and “peace” and “joy.” Maybe you can’t assign those particular colors and shapes. You just have the overall impression that what you’re seeing is the highest and richest and most glorious thing a human will ever be treated to. Everyone will just have to wait and see it for themselves.
I know not everyone believes these things. My husband is a “when you’re done, you’re done” kind of guy. He thinks my notions of heaven are harmless and romantic, but ultimately foolish.
I say there are enough testimonials out there, like the one last night, to keep me believing.
What do you think? Any near-death experiences out there? Do you believe in God and/or angels and heaven and the afterlife? Or are you all honorary Missourians, living in the “show me” state?
Technorati Tags: American Sign Language, Children of a Lesser God, Marlee Matlin, William Hurt, Afterlife, Near Death Experience, Death, Heaven, Reincarnation, Angels, God
October 6th, 2006 at 7:24 am
My mother had a near death experience when she gave birth to me, and I don’t know how to feel about that.
But I do believe.
October 6th, 2006 at 8:24 am
Heather, I can see how that might be pretty weird. Good thing you’re a writer, because that sounds like a good story. Then again, maybe you’re too close.
October 6th, 2006 at 8:33 pm
My sign language skills have declined SO much since high school… I used to be able to speak it moderately well, but today a deaf guy came into the store and I was tripping over my finger spelling. It was embarassing.
Then an hour later I had to muster all the Spanish I know to explain “buy one get one free” to a South American diplomat.
And you can tack me on the “when you die, you’re dead” board.
October 7th, 2006 at 5:21 am
Well, the answers you are seeking are in the spiritual texts around you.
This particular answer is in the Comic Book series - Secret Wars II.
Basically it asked and answered the question of, if you were an infinite, all powerful being, what would you want.
And the answer is simple, to be finite. To have limits. To have challenges to over come. To have joy. To have pain. To have loss. To have gain.
But would you want that forever? To no longer know what it is to be infinite? To read only one story? To see only one movie? To be only one human?
Or it could just be that oxygen deprivation provides the brain with some wonderful hallucinations.
October 7th, 2006 at 6:37 am
Patrick, deep! I had no idea what I was missing by not reading comic books. Guess you and Barry have had it right all along.
Lizzie, glad to know you’re out there mixing it up with the masses, trying to speak their language instead of just speaking English more loudly and raising your eyebrows a lot.