Three Days in Heaven

Author Notes

Author NotesBefore publication, I reached out to a Catholic priest and asked if he would read my manuscript. He had already seen the cover, read some of the comments, and was curious about the book. In my mind, I grinned from ear to ear, hoping he would like what he read and offer a comment or at least a short review I could use. My friends thought it would be a literary coup and a public relations dream come true to have a man of the cloth sign off on the book.

He didn't comment right away, and I wasn't going to hold my breath. We visited for a while discussing theology and talking about golf; to you golfers, he's a three handicap.

Some referred to Three Days in Heaven as religious fiction, and one of my editors called it a parable-style novel. I didn't even know what a parable-style novel was. The greater majority called it an inspirational story of faith. As the book evolved, I made my heavenly hosts more human just like you and me. God uses everyday language to teach the main character, Tony, the meaning of faith. Three Days in Heaven is not Bible study; though the Bible is referenced. It's also not a child's Sunday school story. (Flip through a few pages, and you'll see why) It's a straight-to-the-point examination of the faith I understand and believe. And because of those things, it inspired me to write the book. Some of the stories are based on actual events during the time of my open-heart surgery, and I've told it as best as I can recall.

I was raised in a churchgoing family and remain part of the faithful to this day. That upbringing did not influence the way I wrote the book, nor was it written in any certain theological or religious point of view.

I have received many encouraging and touching words from test readers, and one of them was a young woman who wrote a message, telling me her father died over five years ago by his own hand. She said one story in the book helped her with a clearer understanding of the question we always ask when faced with such a loss of that nature—Why? My best answer—God only knows.

It may seem trite, but if I am able to help even one person by writing this book, then my job is done—whether by my testimonial of faith or in her case, a better understanding of death—especially a suicide. It made me feel good that my few, simple words were of comfort to her. As a writer, it doesn't get much better. My prayer for her is to have a peaceful heart and be assured that her dad still watches over her.

One comment I wrestled with for a while was, “It's beautifully irreverent…” I studied and stared at those words for days. “Beautiful,” that's good. “Irreverent,” not so good. But together they made sense, especially with the added line at the end of her quote: “To the point of teaching a lesson that sticks.” In the end, I decided to use the comment, and of all places smack-dab on the front cover! I get the picture why those two words combined will probably be a deal killer as far as a comment from the priest goes. But who knows, maybe I'll get a little surprise. Others seem to be stuck on an exacting religious standpoint and won't budge. I believe one comment sums up how a reader should approach this book: “Open your mind to another perspective.” I think what he meant was, “There's more than one way to skin a cat.” Three Days in Heaven is a story about my interpretation of faith; I merely delivered it from a different perspective.

There is a belief a bit of controversy is a good thing—and my book did. I'd already stirred the pot, and at the time the book hadn't even been printed, but I couldn't care less and here's why. Two days before surgery, my doctor dropped the proverbial bombshell and said without a coronary bypass, I was only a few days from death. With news like that, you tend to take a deep breath, pause for a moment and re-examine your soul. I was lucky they found the problem in time, which was a miracle in itself. After the operation, I reorganized my priorities and put things in clearer order. To quote a line from Indiana Jones: “My soul is prepared, is yours?”

Our meeting was coming to an end, and we shook hands, then mentioned I hoped my book would intrigue and inspire those who read it—and maybe irritate a few others. I couldn't help but chuckle when I added, “Probably all three!”

As I was leaving, I glanced at his Bible on a nearby end table.

“You know Father, that is the most perfectly written book humanity has ever read, and not everyone is a big fan.”

He only smiled. He's a good man, and I'm convinced he's in the right line of work. As I got to my car, and by no means comparing the significance of my book and the Bible, I grinned and thought, I'm in pretty good company.

As many of you are aware, this is my second edition print. There were minor issues which needed to be corrected, so I added a few things. One addition that touched me was the loss of our beloved pet, Aspen. I included a special tribute in honor of her toward the end of the book. The decision had been made to put her down because of the spread of cancer throughout her body. Aspen's visits to the vet's office always made her nervous, but on this day, she was calm and seemed at ease; just happy to be with me.

Within moments of our arrival, she was sedated to get her more relaxed. Her doctor, my friend, Rick, excused himself so the two of us could be alone. Aspen continued to sit by my side, but soon the effects of the sedative took over, then she slid down and curled up around my feet like a sleepy kitten. Her head came to rest on my foot like she always did. I was wearing flip-flops and tried to wiggle my toes under her head, but she was almost asleep. Rick returned and gently picked her up and placed her on the examination table. Both of us spent a few moments petting her, then he asked if I was ready. I sadly nodded yes. He made the final push of the lethal drug, then Aspen and I said our final farewell. Within seconds, he examined her and told me her heart had stopped. Hugging and weeping over her lifeless, outstretched body, my only reply was, “Mine too.”