Framing the Dialogue

I found it interesting that a three year old boy’s near-death experience has become a New York Times “Bestseller.”  Months after his serious illness a now recovered Colton Burpo uttered “that’s where the angels sang to me” and floored his parents.  The Burpos, stunned at Colton’s revelation, seemed cautious and careful in allowing their son to recount his experience.  Their patience gave them a clear picture of Colton’s experience in Heaven.  Their story, Heaven is for Real is a touching story that may touch a few skeptics, but will surely hearten believers.  Colton’s father and primary author, Todd Burpo, gives us a glimpse inside their very personal story and thrilling details about life, death, and the hereafter.  You would be hard pressed to find a more touching and uplifting story than Colton’s.  Atheists should probably avoid this book as it may shake their disbeliefs.

I have to appreciate the patient persistence of Colton’s parents in unraveling Colton’s experience.  The wanted to really find out what Colton experienced without influencing his answers with their adult perceptions.  His father, a minister, and mother allowed information to flow at Colton’s natural pace which allowed the details to be revealed.  They also didn’t treat his statements as the excited utterances of a child to be glossed over. 

I remember around twenty years ago my father almost died.  Actually he should have died when his aorta ruptured, but luck was on his side that day.  It happened in the evening and my brother was with him when he passed out.  His prompt call to 911, their quick response, his close proximity to one of the best vascular hospitals in the area, the lucky occurrence that a vascular surgical team had just finished a surgery, and his aorta didn’t actually rupture until he was in the emergency room gave him a second chance.

It was eerily like the Burpo’s in that perhaps a year later we were discussing near death experiences when my dad said that he thought that he had one.  I was floored.  He described his out-of-body experience and seemed to witness hospital staff working on him.  He described a bright light that he was drawn to.  He didn’t provide many more details and I mistakenly didn’t pry.  It’s too late now, but I hope that, no I believe that Colton’s experience proves that Heaven is for real. 

There were so many passages that touched me and I wanted to include in this post, but I think it would take away from the power of the book.  You’ll just have to read about “a little boy’s astounding story of his trip to Heaven and back” yourself and be amazed and touched like I was.