The Heaven Project began during a trip to Yellowstone National Park during the summer of 2009. I came across a rabbit that had been run over and had the thought that bunnies must go to Heaven because obviously they were “good.” What could a rabbit possibly do that wasn’t good?
I was not brought up in any specific religion, and my mental picture of Heaven is still the one I’ve had since I was a little girl kneeling next to my bed with my grandma teaching me the words, “Now I lay me down to sleep.” I started to wonder where God put all of the people and animals when they go to Heaven.
I asked my husband his opinion, and assumed, since he was raised Catholic, that there would be a standard answer. Instead, he told me that he thinks Heaven is individual for each person. That God grants us the Heaven we envision. If there are bunnies in my version of Heaven, then they’ll be there. If my grandma is in my version, she’ll be there, too.
I didn’t expect this answer from someone brought up with a particular church doctrine, and I started to wonder. What does each person think their Heaven will look like?
I sent out an e-mail to mailing lists and list-servs with the above text and asked people to send me a description of their version of Heaven. The replies are generous, trusting and sublime. It has been a gift to be allowed a glimpse into such personal visions.
~Ginger
Midnight Musings 