Heaven isn't so Far Away

If you want to find my grandpa, a.k.a “Boppy”, you probably should check Kerr Brothers Funeral Home. If you don’t see him there, check the bathroom. By now you have probably found him.

I should mention he isn’t there because he is dead. He is there because his favorite hobby is going to funerals.

 I know, it’s creepy. But let me elaborate.

Boppy has worked as chaplain at Mayfair Manor Nursing home for 38 years. The man is 75 years old, and most visitors mistake him for a resident by now. I guarantee Boppy doesn’t know any of the residents by their actual name, but he has made up an offensive nickname for every one of them that he never forgets. Thankfully, everyone knows Boppy isn’t trying to be offensive with nicknames such as “Weezy” and “Midget”.

Everyone loves Boppy. Does it sound like I’m being dramatic when I say “everyone”? Because I promise I’m not. I have never in my life known a more loved person by so many people.

Boppy cares about you- no matter who you are and no matter how old you are.

After a long day of work at Mayfair, he often makes his way to church to help with the youth. Because he cares. Or he sits down to write a hand-written letter to someone who is sick or he hasn’t said hello to in a while. Because he cares. Or he stops by Shriners to visit sick children. Because he cares. 

What Boppy cares most about, though, is that you know the same Lord that saved him. That is why God is rarely left out of a conversation. His relationship with God is real. It’s tangible.

 And that is why Boppy goes to funerals.

 Because when one of his many friends passes from this life to the next, he is often excited. Because he knows they know the same God. And to Boppy, heaven isn’t so far away. 

He spends his time at funeral homes to comfort those who don’t feel so close to heaven. To bring a smile to their face and to remind them of the Lord that saved their loved one and the Lord that either has or can save them. In the times when his friends pass that don’t know God, he is still there for the family. Because they aren’t dead yet. And he knows a secret he can't wait to share-

heaven isn’t so far away. 

So if you are ever with Boppy and he begins talking about my beautiful grandmother, Nunny, or his hilarious friend “Weezy” and then you find out they are dead, don’t get awkward. Because Boppy understands something that some of us who are younger with less faith don’t quite get yet…they aren’t dead. They are doing quite fine actually…and they are more alive than ever.

Today marks year two of my Nunny’s physical death. I miss her terribly. And it’s hard- because my faith still has a lot of growing to do. But I’m so thankful for a Boppy that reminds me  heaven isn’t so far away. 

 So see you soon, Nunny!