I hope there is a place where they go. I hope it is a place not boring and pearly white but instead spectacular. May it be a place where whatever was broken about you becomes whole and where you can do what you love. If this place exists on the other side I hope to see some friends and family and beloved animals there. For Andrew, may there be no Democrats. For Grandma Clara, may there be no kitchens and for Beago-cat, may there be everlasting mice. For Randy, may there be straw bails for building homes.

Remembering Randy is what made me think of Alternative Heaven as he introduced me to the idea of alternative building using straw bails or rammed earth. This was when I was young and lived for a time in California where such building is possible. I have since returned to the northwest where it is wet and rammed earth would become mud.

I like to think I will see my friends on the other side. Last time I saw Randy was in 1997. Next time I see him it will be on the other side. It is a sad day when you find out that somebody who made the world a better place is no longer of this world. Thinking of heaven always makes me see white, everything white, on and on for eternity. Of course, I have no idea what heaven is like and I don’t imagine it would really be so boring and white.  I think that the part of us that belongs to God goes back to God and the part of us that belongs to Earth goes back to Earth.

Even with that being said, I think it is cool to imagine Alternative Heaven where we are no longer broken and can see our loved ones again and do all the earthly things we loved together. We can drink beer and watch football. We can climb to the peak of the mountain and look around. We can play with the dogs in the sunshine. We can rebuild the rock wall. I hope I see you all on the other side, alternative or pearly white.