Sounds depressing, but it's not. It's one of the more uplifting movies ever made. "What Dreams May Come" depicts Heaven as a colorful place, infinitely and perfectly maleable. Like a painting in the making, Heaven can change over and over again by what one wills. Of course, there are a few hard, fast rules, but even these can be broken by someone with passion and dogged determination.  

 

I was raised believing that Heaven could be a Place on Earth. Most the time, I remember that simple reality. When I forget though, damned if Hell isn't right here, too.  

 

There are tough times coming. Most of the World is full of fear. We tip-toe in trepidation, afraid we might fall. We will- and so what?  

 

I like to remember, in times like these, about Dudley and Bonita Yazzie. They are the parents of Tommy Yazzie, my best friend, who Eagle's Nest at CastleRock is dedicated to. Dudley and Bonita live in a traditional Hogan. Its eight sided log walls hug the two old people, Shea Chea and Shea Masana, (My Grandfather and My Grandmother) like it has since they were first married. The little fire set into the middle of the floor, warms the whole room, even when the cold north wind houls across the mile high plateau. The growing light greets the ninety year-old couple every morning through their single, cedar plank door. Together, they have blessed the rising sun for sixty-two years.  

 

This land was given to Bonita by her mother, who taught her at twelve how to weave on the old wooden loom. The wool, the milk, the meat comes from their sheep, members of an extended family, generations long. Dudley has an old truck and when it runs, they dress up, always in traditional garb, their finest silver and turquoise and tumble down the rutted road into town, to trade, to buy coffee and sugar and some flour and salt.  

 

Their needs are few and they are rich.  

 

Their needs are few and they are rich.  

 

Their needs are few and they are rich.  

 

If Heaven can be a Place on Earth, if Heaven is a colorful place, infinitely and perfectly maleable, if we rise above the fear that we may fall, if we remember our real needs and shed our greed, if we carefully and consciously create community, maybe we'll stand here and greet the sun together for as many beautiful mornings as this World has planned for us, those with passion and dogged determination.  

 

Have a wonder-filled day!