A couple weeks ago I read Everybody Wants to go to Heaven but Nobody Wants to Die, or (the Eschatology of Bluegrass) by David Crowder and Mike Hogan (also in DCB). The author’s wrote it after a series of deaths in their lives. During the research of the book (or perhaps before the book began — I’m not sure) a pastor friend of theirs died by electrocution — while in a baptismal. Perhaps you read about it?
Somewhere about the middle of the book I took the time to write the friend who gave it to me. The note got much more personal and raw than I expected. Nearly two weeks ago it crossed my mind that I could post that note here. Maybe it will connect with a reader; maybe it will connect with no one. Either way, I post it below in all its rawness.
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I am just now 100 pages into the book, and thought I’d share a few thoughts (probably superficial, leading to something more authentic).
it feels like the same thing told in three different ways. First, the historical. Second, the IM. Third, the narrative (columns). i came to the column that first told of Virginia’s stroke and realized that the stories were about to meld. I like this idea. I think I see the connection with the tears, dying birds and rest of the story, but am not sure yet.
i’m enticed by the fact that DC and MH can be so comical at times (I’ve laughed a lot) and yet very deep and genuine at others.
more importantly, i wonder what my take is on death and mourning. for example, i remember when my grandfather died. One memory stands out more than any other. I’m sitting in my van. I’ve just pulled into our driveway but Air 1 is playing “Stand in the rain” by barlow girl (superchick? — doesn’t matter). At first I want to say that this is good. That I’m freely grieving through the works and tunes of this music.
but am i?
perhaps i wasn’t. i didn’t let anyone in. i was alone. no community. even tho I may have been expressing, who was I expressing to? who was I confiding in?
Anyway…I’m still not entirely sure what the book is about. I know it’s all going to tie in, and that it will probably take me much longer to process and think through it, but I’m enjoying it. immensely.
look forward to your thoughts. hope you don’t mind that this sounds more like a journal entry. I think I just pick up on the tone and style of the book and run with it a bit…maybe.
