Heaven on Earth

Dr.V.Venkateswaran
NSW

 

The Platters

Heaven on earth, that's what you've made for me since the day we met
Heaven on earth, its all been so thrilling, I never can forget, uh oh
Heaven on earth, alone with an angel, is living in dreams come true
Heaven on earth, I know that it happens only when I'm with you

Paradise seemed so far

Like a star it twinkled high above me Now I'm wise

Paradise isn't far at all when you're around to love me, uh oh, love me

Oh, Heaven on earth, no need in waiting, waiting until I die

Heaven on earth, that's what you've made, a heaven for you and I

A Heaven for you and I

(For you and I)

Listening to The Platters render these lyrics is heaven.

The first kiss from the beloved, the first caress and cuddle from the beloved, and the first embrace from the beloved, that is heaven. My little granddaughter falling asleep in my lap, opening her eyes, holding my little finger with her whole little hand and give a toothless smile, climbing up the stairs holding my little finger saying "Don't worry grandpa, I am holding you", that is heaven for me.

Praying on stipulated days and times, in stipulated places of worship, doing random acts of kindness, feeding and clothing the hungry and needy we try and acquire "brownie points" so that entry to an uncertain and unknown heaven may be-made easier. But why are we doing it when we are living in heaven?

Our sister convent was next door to us, the boys' school. Often we exchanged with our parallels, a shy smile, sometimes a hushed whisper, a short quick note slipped in by the braver boys. This was natural at the age of adolescence with hormones rushing around everywhere. But we were told strictly by our teachers that flirting with the girls, thinking bad thoughts about them were sins and may it difficult to enter heaven. Our concept of heaven then was a place with rivers of chocolate, trees bearing lollipops and as we grew older that beautiful nymphs will also be there. They were told to ask for forgiveness from God and not to repeat the misdeeds. It was done, and I am sure that God pardoned them. But nobody wanted to forego the feeling of heavenly bliss. So they continued doing it more often, but they always begged for forgiveness. And God could not but forgive them. But others never bothered. Anyway it couldn't have been a sin because we continue to enjoy 'heaven on earth' even now. But often, we miss what is right in front of us, but yearn for something that we know nothing about.

As I sat in my backyard, I was looking at my plants with thoughts elsewhere and eyes out of focus. It was Easter time, and the tibochine plant was laden with deep purple flowers. What a joy. Plant a cutting, and in time it has given so much ofjoy asking for nothing in return. I could almost promise, I saw small green suited men with pointed green caps darting in between plants. I am sure I saw many coloured fairies flitting around. Were they butterflies? Now suddenly I am not sure. Bees were hopping from flower to flower, becoming more unsteady as they got drunk on the nectar. This was heaven. No wonder there is a saying that "God lives in the garden" Then truly this must be heaven. In Phillippa's poem, God lives in my garden, she says

God lives in my garden

I find Him there often

Speaking to me in the peacefulness

Not judging, Not condemning

Just woo-ing gently, speaking softly

Enticing my fingers into the life-giving earth

Sometimes he reminds me of new life As buds burst forth into their glory.

As time goes on, heaven has become an experience and experiences are stored as memories. Some days, seated alone lost in thought or together with your better half, holding hands, you roll out memories. It's like two children sharing their collection of pebbles and shells. Each pebble or shell has a story to tell. Memories have become nostalgia. Accuracy becomes blunted as age advances. Those left alone, or become alone, because of Alzeihmers or dementia are often seen to be smiling, when they talk to themselves or when they are sitting alone uncommunicative. That is when they are rolling out their memories.

Nobody can take away your memories. Nobody can take away your personal heaven. Let's not allow something to slip through our fingers while searching for the unknown. Belinda Carlisle sums it up in her lyrics.

Belinda Carlisle

Ooh, baby, do you know what that's worth? 

Ooh, heaven is a place on earth. 

They say in heaven, love comes first. 

We'll make heaven a place on earth. 

Ooh, heaven is a place on earth.

When the night falls down. 

I wait for you and you come around. 

And the world's alive with the sound Of kids on the street outside.

When you walk into the room,

You pull me close and we start to move. 

And we're spinning with the stars above 

And you lift me up in a wave of love.

Ooh, baby, do you know what that's worth?

Ooh, heaven is a place on earth. 

They say in heaven love comes first. We'll make heaven a place on earth. 

Ooh, heaven is a place on earth.

When I feel alone, I reach for you And you bring me home

When I'm lost at sea I hear your voice And it carries me

In this world we're just beginning To understand the miracle of living. 

Baby, I was afraid before

But I'm not afraid anymore.