"When life is sweet, say thank you and celebrate.
And when life is bitter, say thank you and grow."
- Shauna Niequist
There are many tales about St. Peter and the Pearly Gates.
According to one popular story, St. Peter consults a huge book that contains the life story of each arrival and everyone who ever lived. Kind of like Santa, he checks each record to see if a person had been mostly naughty or mostly nice.
It's now believed that all the data is on a cloud; St. Peter finds what he needs on his laptop; and, using print-on-demand, he publishes a one-of-a- kind scrapbook for each person's life story.
With scrapbook in hand, the new arrival and St. Pete decide together if the deceased has had enough life lessons and ah-ha awakenings in Earth School.*
Has your heart been broken? Ego deflated? Fallen on your face while making a mistake?
How often have you laughed, cried, watched the sunrise and sighed?
Ever plant a tree? Been stung by a bee? Broken a bone? Lost your home?
Our possible experiences and adventures are endless. Highs and lows. Wonders and woes.
While we are here, let's be of good cheer. As Shauna Niequist said:
"When life is sweet, say thank you and celebrate.
And when life is bitter, say thank you and grow."
With love, laughter, hope, and joy,
Charlene
* It's rumored that some souls are sent back for more human experiences, with no memory of meeting St. Peter at the Pearly Gates.
