Not long before my mother passed, I went back home to Virginia to spend time with her.
 

On the second or third day of my visit, my sister Irma and I were sitting in the living room talking, keeping a close ear on Mama, who was bedridden at the time.
 

In the middle of our conversation, Mama called out,
“Come here, son… and pray with me.”
I’ll be honest—I was a little surprised.
“Mama,” I said, “Sister Irma is here too… and she’s much better at praying than I am.”

Mama didn’t hesitate.
“I want you to pray with me, son.”
So I walked to her bedside, knelt, and prayed.
When I finished, Mama looked at me and said,
“Very well done, son. I was a little concerned about your faith… but now I feel much better.”
 

That caught me off guard—but not completely.
Right then, something came to me.
 

“Mama,” I said, “let me tell you how I see Heaven.”
I told her I see Heaven like a great gathering—almost like a football stadium. God is at the center, like the head of the table, and all around are angels—listening, learning, and watching.
I said, “Mama, you’ve seen a football field, right?”
She said, “Yes, I have.”
 

Well, that’s how I see it. People are seated all around—like in the stands. Some are closer to the center they see more clearly. They paid a higher price for their seats.

Then I told her I could see our family there.
I see Uncle Joe—sitting just to the left of God. One of His favorites, no doubt. I see Grandma too, a few seats down. I see Uncle R., Uncle Chest… all our aunts… family spread throughout the stands.

Then I paused.
Mama… I see you. And I see Dad right there beside you. You’re sitting close—real close.”
 

But here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re not just sitting there. You’re looking around, checking on everyone. Making sure all your family is there.”
“And then… You saw me.”

“I’m a little farther back than the rest, Mama… but don’t worry—I’m there too.”

By then, tears were running down her face.
Truth be told, mine too.

She looked at me and said,
“Now I can rest, son… now I can rest.”

That’s the story—as close as I can remember it.
And if you knew my mother, you know this: She’s still looking around, still watching for her family, and she’ll be one of the first to greet us when we arrive.

As for me, I intend to keep my part of that promise.
And if you’re willing to walk that path too, I’ll see you there.

Now, let me again be real for a moment.
I’ve always seen God a little differently than most of my family—and Mama knew that.

I’ve always believed that God has already given us everything we need. Because of that, I probably didn’t call on Him as much as I should have.

Part of me felt that with all the blessings I’ve received, it wasn’t right to take up God’s time worrying about me.

I still feel deeply blessed.
But I’m learning—more and more—to call on Him anyway.

Each time I think of Mama, which is almost every day, I am reminded of my promise to her!  This, though, helps keep me on the path!