Dia DiCristino’s Blog

I grew up going to Sunday school, DVBS, Missionettes, etc. One of the beliefs I wanted so badly to be true was that of having an eternal life after this imperfected one ends. It wasn’t until I went to university and started studying theology,I was suddenly slapped with the notion that there may not be an afterlife at all. In fact all of my athiest and agnostic friends tell me this often,”You will cease to exist when you die”, “there is no life after this one”. “Gee Thanks,” I thought. Any life so plagued with sickness and strife would long for the time when, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”(Rev. 21:4)

Last night I had the most wonderful dream, which is quite odd, since I am constantly having nightmares. In this dream I was checking into an enormous Vatican style building with the most gorgeous gardens surrounding it. I kept asking my friend to come to the window and look how beautiful it was. Many people were walking around the grounds, but none were coming inside. Later on in my dream, while wandering the building, I lost my way. I was greeted by a young priest who led me to this sort of check in counter. There was another priest, one I actually knew in real life, although in my dream he was aged by 30 years or so. He knew I recognized him and I knew he recognized me, but neither of us said anything. I asked for him to point the way to my room, and he said, “Those rooms are scattered all around the building. I don’t know which one is yours.” The young priest and I decided to keep looking, but then suddenly I was back at the window of my room asking my friend to look out the window again. I just remember it being so beautiful. I didn’t realize it was a dream because it was so vivid. Then my dogs came through the back door and I woke up. Maybe heaven is wherever our mind goes to when we die. I don’t know, but I would love to go back to that building and finally be able to walk into the garden.