LETTER FROM OUR DAUGHTER 

 Dear Dad -- I read what you wrote and will discuss it with you.  What you believe is not new to me.  I first was told about the importance of Jesus and rapture when I was in CGIT in Vancouver.  Then again, with more intensity by a very close friend when I moved to NY, when you were about my age.  I was asked to share the importance with my family as it would be soon, but at that point in time I didn’t feel you would be open to that discussion as religion was not very important in your life, and I had always seen you more as a “scientist” as far as your thinking.  The next time was just before the millennium, I was dating someone who strongly believed that all the signs were in place, and there were a lot of predictions that concurred with that. 

Currently, there are a lot of signs that no one can ignore, but the question is – is it finally rapture, or another wake up call.  I know what you think and feel, but as a mother of a child that is “killing” herself trying to graduate magnum cum lada, in the hopes of getting good scholarships so she can afford to go to Grad school – I have to hope that Alicia will have many more years on this earth.  You and mom mean the world to me.  I feel blessed every day we have together, as none of my friends have been so lucky.  I embrace my religious feelings in my own way. 

I believe in God and Jesus (although we did have a little falling out when I was in such severe pain and John left me – but over time I understood his plan for me and Alicia is better for it, it brought us all together, and I met a fine caring man) I know I have been looked after and am grateful for the life I have had. 

I know you feel urgency, and quite possibly you are correct, but I hope not.  I have read Heaven is so Real, but I wasn’t as affected by it as you, as I had been more exposed to the concept in her book, by several of my very religious friends.  I guess what I’m trying to say is I have been told about this for at least 40 years now.  I think we have more signs now that we can’t ignore, but I am not finished with my life here and hope that Alicia has many years ahead, so I will pray that we as a family will exist for many more years.  I love you very much – please don’t change your opinion of me from this letter.