Dear ,
I watched the movie Tolkien the other night and was fascinated by its treatment of the Norse mythology concept of Helheim, or Hel. A realm associated with those who died of old age or illness rather than in battle.
The idea, as the film presents it, was that dying peacefully was the wrong way for a warrior to go. Dying on a bed of straw was ignoble. Dying in battle was virtuous.
I wrote something many years ago about us being created as masterpieces. And that our job is to leave a masterwork. I posited that we'd not go to hell for our multitude of sins, but for not fulfilling our God-given purpose and using our innumerable talents to achieve this, whatever they may be.
On my 63rd birthday this year, one of my friends wished me well and said, "Let's have a coffee before we go to heaven, or at least before I do. I dunno where you're going."