Can You Believe It

Can You Believe It

Hey Susie, it’s Sheila!
Guess what? I’m in heaven!
Can you believe it? I’ve been
dancing before God’s golden throne,
my hands raised in praise and grinning
so wide my cheeks should be hurting -
but they’re not.

Hey Susie, it's Sheila!
Guess what? It's awesome!
Can you believe it? I spin
around and still can't take it all in.
I've never seen colors so bright
Like vibrant gemstones in light -
but much more than not.

Hey Susie, it’s Sheila!
Guess what? Jesus is laughing!
Can you believe it? Laughing!
As I stand, mouth hung wide open,
my sweet Savior is chuckling
at this once ugly duckling –
but now I’m not.

Hey Susie, it’s Sheila!
Guess what? He loves ME!
Can you believe it? Completely!
The Lord loves every inch of me;
from top to bottom, within and without,
I don’t know how there is no doubt -
but there’s not.

Hey Susie, it’s Sheila!
Guess what? They’re singing!
Can you believe it? A choir so
grand that I can’t see its end,
singing a song of welcoming,
celebrating my homecoming.
I’m in heaven!

Can you believe it?

Oh Susie, it's Sheila again!
Guess what I forgot?
Believe it or not? Mom's here!
She met me outside the grandest gate!
When I saw her, tears of joy I cried.
Then, my last tear God himself dried!
There's no tears in heaven, Susie.
There's really not!
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Today, the day after Sheila's burial, I was doing just fine - sad still - but fine. Sheila is still very much on all of our minds. Her death being so sudden and her being so young, how could it not be? Still, as I was crossing the parking lot to go to lunch today, from nowhere I hear her singsong voice perfectly clear, just as she always sounded when she called me:

            "Hey Susie! It's Sheila! Guess what? I'm in heaven! Can you believe it?"

My breath caught. My steps stumbled a bit as my hand went to my mouth and tears welled in my eyes. I climbed into my truck and cried. The tears were bittersweet; tears of joy tinged with sadness. I felt so blessed by the moment. I prayed that God would help me tell others what I had heard. I prayed He would help me put into words a poem that would help the family heal. I pray now that I have accomplished that and also that what I have written is pleasing to God as well.

A part of me wants to wait like I normally do with a poem; let it simmer and stew as I add, delete, rearrange and let it season. Another part of me says I need to share it now. So, I have decided to do both. I am posting the poem, knowing full well that I might make changes later. Right now though, it makes me smile as I visualize Sheila dancing around God's throne grinning ear to ear. I hope it makes you smile too.
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Merciful Father, thank You for letting me hear Sheila today. I already knew she was with You, but it was just so perfect! To hear the joy, the excitement in her voice . . . all I can say is thank You. Please give Sheila a hug from me, God, and tell her I miss her. She loves hugs, but then, You know that. I don't understand the why, Lord, but I accept Your will. ~ Amen