As a young girl and up into my early teens, I had a recurring dream. I never knew when it would occur, sometimes every week and then less and less until it was finally gone. However, to this day more than 40 years later, I remember it well.

I lost my beloved grandpa when I was only 9 years old. It was my first experience with death and I was devastated that I didn’t even get to say goodbye. At the cemetery I didn’t want to leave Grandpa behind because I couldn’t imagine life without him.

It was a couple of months later when I had the dream the first time. I was at Grandma and Grandpa’s house looking out the window when I suddenly saw Grandpa walking up the sidewalk to the back door as he used to do. I ran out to greet him with Grandma right behind me. He told us that he knew that we missed him so God allowed him to come back to spend an afternoon with us. We made the most of that afternoon sharing how much we loved each other and playing games and laughing like we used to do. All too soon he told us it was time for him to go back to heaven. Since he could never come back, he told us to always remember how much he loved us. He walked out the door and disappeared when he reached the gate.

The dream was a gift from God which gave me great comfort, but was only a glimpse of things to come. It wasn’t until I asked Jesus into my heart and learned that I would spend eternity with him in heaven that I started understanding the dream better. Heaven is a place where we will spend eternity with God and Jesus providing the light that will never dim. It is the place where there will be no sorrow. It is where we will be with our loved ones and never have to say goodbye.

Recently I read the book “Heaven is for Real” by Todd Burpo. It is the true story of a 4-year-old boy who died and went to heaven. Over the course of time he told his parents of his experiences and shared things he couldn’t otherwise know. His experience changed him, leaving him with a desire for everyone to know Jesus so they could go to heaven.

In God’s time I look forward to going to heaven. In John 14:2,3 we read, “In my Father’s house are many mansions…I go to prepare a place for you…”

I’m not quite ready to go yet as I feel God has more for me to do on this earth. Someday there will be plenty of time to talk with Grandpa and other loved ones.

Like the little boy who died, I too have an overwhelming desire for everyone to know Jesus. If you don’t know Jesus, now is the perfect time.

With Easter right around the corner, now is the time to make sure you know where you will spend eternity.

Debra Whittington is a longtime Tucumcari resident. Contact her at: dawhittington@msn.com