Sometimes, the most sacred moments in life arrive unannounced—wrapped in heartbreak, yet soaked in glory. A woman recently wrote me about her husband, a man of deep faith who often spoke of his anticipation of heaven. Just hours before his sudden cardiac arrest, he was having a conversation with their grandson—wondering aloud if there would be horses in heaven. That same day, he collapsed. She performed CPR until the ambulance arrived. He was admitted to the ICU with a heart pump and ventilator. And over the next ten days, their eight children and many grandchildren gathered around his bedside. They prayed. They wept. They sang his favorite gospel songs together. And when the moment came, he passed peacefully—surrounded by the voices and love of his family. She called it a “good death.” Not because it was painless. But because it was prepared for. This is why I wrote Anticipating Heaven—to help others make space for holy moments like this. When we face death without fear, we make room for presence, peace, and even joy. Her words meant the world to me: “I found the information in your book so helpful and comforting during those last days together in the hospital. And now I intend to implement many of your practical suggestions in my own end-of-life planning to better prepare my children for when my appointed time to move from earth to heaven arrives.” That’s what this journey is about. If you’re in a season of grief, or simply want to prepare your loved ones with tenderness and intention, I encourage you to download the Planning for Peace guide. It’s a tool for conversations, clarity, and comfort—especially when the time comes to say goodbye. Thank you to this beautiful family for allowing me to be part of their sacred story. And thank you, dear reader, for walking this journey with courage and grace.
