Yesterday, I attended a funeral for a family member. As the Mass progressed, I thought a lot about death – and what happens to us when we die.

As I sat there listening to the Priest talk about death and the “Kingdom of Heaven” – I realized how small we as humans really are. We are born into this world with a heart and soul encased in a body made of flesh and blood – and then expire only to leave our bodies to either rot in the ground – or be cremated and placed in an urn…

…but where do we go – and what do we do when we get there?

I know there is a Heaven, but what is Heaven? What happens to us after our souls leave our bodies? As much as we rely on our faith and believe in its teachings – we really have absolutely no idea what happens to us when we die. We have beliefs as to what lies beyond – but no credible proof as to what actually does.

At the funeral, there was a lovely collage of photographs of the family member I lost that was put together by her daughter. In each photo, she looked happy, content, at peace – and truly enjoying life. At the bottom of the collage was a line from Ecclesiastes 3:12, which read, “And I have known that there was no better thing than to rejoice – and do well in this life.” As I read those words, I thought about the life we live down here on Earth – and how we really should enjoy the gift we were given – and make the most of it no matter what.

I always believed that we all should, in addition to making the most of our lives, be good people and do all that we can to help others as a way of “repaying” the gift of life that we were given. For as long as I have lived, I have held onto this belief and am proud to say that I have spent my life trying to help others in any way I could because I am very thankful for the life I was given. Whatever your religion – or lack thereof – you must agree that there is something more advanced, more powerful – and more evolved than us that created each and every living thing on Earth – including the planet itself.

I have no idea what awaits us after we die, although I do hope it is a place of great happiness and peace. The only thing I do wish for when I die, however – is a smile to shape my very last breath.