Not long before my mother passed, I went back home to Virginia to spend some 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 of table, like the center seat on a football field , 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 Heaven. People are seated all around—like you would see at a foorball game in the stands. Some are closer to the center and they can 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… and all our aunts… I see our family spread throughout the stands.

Then I paused.

Mama… I see you. And I see Dad right there beside you. You’re sitting close to God, —real close.”
 

But here’s the thing,” I said. “MAMA, You’re not just sitting there. You’re looking around, checking on everyone. Making sure all your family members was 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 Mama's face. Truth be told, mine too.

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

This story—is as as exact 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.  She may even have one of her Famous Apple Pies waiting for us ... and probable even one of the Apple pies that she hid especially for me.  

As for me, I intend to keep my promise to mama.

And if you’re willing to walk that path too, I’ll see you there.  You see, I made a promise to Mama for you also!

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 needed.  I still feel that way.

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!  These, thoughts, helps keep me on the path!

Sister Irma, do you remember that day ... you were setting in the room with me when mama called me to come pray for her.

Family, I truly believe that God has always kept us in his favor and for those who knew the members of "My Six-Pack" our "Six-Pack" all you need is call on them for guidance in any area of your lives.  When you do this, God will answer you through them.  

For those of you young people who did not know the members of Our Six-Pack, call on them anyway, you are from their bloodline, it will bring you the answers that you are seeking!  

With unmatched Love, a grateful son!  

PS:  I have hundreds of stories originating from "My Six-Pack", Our "Six-Pack" as well as many other stories that I am confident will be of value and enjoyment to you, so please come back as I want to share them all with you! 

With love and undying devotion!

Carlton Lee Dowdy