The room you walk into after you die

[MikeWaters]

I had an old friend. As in old of age. But also a long time ago, so old that way too. He has died now. He wasn't really religious. But we talked about stuff.

Anyway, he said that when he died, he hoped he would end up in the same place as Mark Twain and Shakespeare and guys like that.

So I've always considered the idea that heaven is like home, and you are with friends and interesting people--the people that you like and like you.

The door opens, and there is a table, and they are playing cards. They look up and see you, and all smile, and say "we've been waiting for you. We saved you a seat."

And you finally exhale, you are finally home.

Of course that could be your family and friends. But it's fun to think about whom else this could be.

Friend on FB posted a thing where Daniel Peterson went off on Christopher Hitchens. Well that caught my interest because I always liked reading Hitchens. Didn't always agree with him. But I loved reading him. And I miss him. And we don't have anyone to replace him. So I started engaging on this thread in various way, discussing the issues of Hitchens and also Peterson. I.e. expressing some good things about Hitchens and some dim things about Peterson. And this guy gets very upset and tells me to stop. Saying essentially he won't stand for anyone trying to say positive things about Hitchens because Hitchens was a terrible person.

Another LDS ass-munch. He is a terribly prideful man--loves his intellect. But sadly often exposes himself as a small-minded moron.

So it got me to thinking. That poker room, the door opening. Who is in my heaven, and pulls the seat out for me? Would I rather it be Hitchens or Peterson?

It's not even close, of course. It's Hitchens. "Enemy of religion." Instead of Peterson, "defender of the LDS faith."

How do I put my finger on it? I think there was something in Hitchens that really desperately wanted to latch onto and defend what is right, and correct the wrongs in the world that no one dared speak of. Peterson has become a man that not even the conservative Mormons can stomach. There is no poetry in his soul, it seems. Maybe I'm wrong. And I'm sorry for saying one of the harshest things that I can say.