Hadley - Touching heaven : real stories of children, life, and eternity

F rom the age of four, I imagined myself working with children. As soon as I was old enough, I began babysitting, helping out in the church nursery, visiting children at the Shriners hospitals for burned children, and doing physical therapy with children with cerebral palsy each Saturday morning. From that time on, Ive worked with children, and I find them to be the most interesting and Spirit-filled people I know!

Jesus told those around him that unless they became like children, they would never enter the kingdom of heaven. I have found those words to be true. Children have much to teach the adults around them about God, faith, and what it means to be human. I know that children need to be taught well. They are not adults, and as such, they need instruction and schooling in matters of life and faith. However, I believe there is a balance between teaching them and at the same time respecting them enough to realize just how wise, insightful, and holy they already are.

When I was first approached to write this book about the experiences of children who were crossing over from this world into heaven, I wondered if I would be exploiting the sacred times we shared together. I wondered if writing about these experiences would in some way spoil the sacredness of the journey. I prayed hard about it and feel confident that these stories should be shared. While I do not understand why these precious little ones died when they did, or why their families had to endure the unique pain that comes with losing a child, these children have much to teach others about the dying process, heaven, and God.

Because I want to protect the identities of the children and their families, I have changed a few of the details of each story. Sometimes I chose to change the sex of the child or alter their age a bit, and, of course, I have used anonymous names. However, I have not changed the experiences they shared with me. Those were such blessed and holy times for me. Ive done everything I can to relate them to you with honesty, sensitivity, and a deep respect and gratitude for being present during those childrens journeys.

It is my prayer that this book will provide comfort because of its topic and will remind each of us of the importance of listening to the children around us every day. During our times with them, when we stop instructing and correcting them and instead start listening to them, we will discover that Jesus knew children well. Jesus knew how wise, insightful, and close to God they are. It is also my prayer that this book will inspire all of us to remember just how blessed we are to have children as a part of our lives, our society, and our world.