Heaven Is for Real Page #3

Colton.

Hi.

Hi, buddy.

Hi.

Dad, I want to hold

that spider.

Wow.

I think it's amazing.

- How is it?

- Fun.

- Now you have to do it.

- I'm not going to do it.

- Do it, do it!

- I'm not doing it.

- Do you want a sticker?

- Get the kid a sticker.

Okay.

- Thank you.

- You're welcome.

That's fun.

I've been here.

Here? I don't think

we've been here before, pal.

- Guess what.

- What?

- I like spiders.

- I saw that!

You got a sticker. You're

not afraid anymore.

We don't ever have to be scared.

Is that why you wanted to come back,

to show me you weren't afraid?

It's important.

What about the hospital?

How do you feel about that?

Does that scare you?

No, that's where the angels sang to me.

The angels sang to you?

Yes.

When?

During the operation, when Mom

was in one room talking on the phone,

and you were in another

room yelling at God.

How did you know that?

Because I saw you.

When did you see me?

I lifted up and I looked down

and saw the doctor working on me.

And I saw you and Mommy.

You saw...

- Hey

- Hey

A storm's coming.

Are you setting records?

- You got a sticker, huh?

- It's a record.

- How are you doing?

- Okay.

How was the trip?

- It was good. Fine.

- Just fine?

It was amazing, actually.

Colton held that spider like

he was holding his Spider-Man.

Come on.

Did he ever mention this idea to you

of hearing angels singing?

Not unless you're talking about

you and me in the shower.

Todd, these bills, they are coming through.

- How bad?

- $23,000.

I mean, do we have any receivables,

anything we can collect at all?

These utilities, we can put those off.

Now this one, I have to pay Jack Martin

for those truck tires. His wife is sick.

We've got a medical bill

coming in as well. $34,000.

- I thought this was part of the $23,000.

- No.

That's just what we owe with

medical supplies, living expenses, taxes.

- I'm going to have to get a job.

- I don't want to do that.

But you can't work any harder than you are.

- We need you here.

- You have to pay the doctor.

Of course, honey. We're going to find

some way to take care of that.

We've got to pay him.

He helped me. I saw him.

- Is something wrong with Colton?

- Why do you say that?

Because sometimes he sounds weird.

He says Jesus has a horse.

Well, all sisters think

their brothers are weird.

That's just the way it goes. Okay?

All right.

Okay, so, your dad's a preacher.

He knows a lot of things,

but he didn't know that Jesus has a horse.

Didn't know that.

It's beautiful.

Yeah? What color is it?

It's all the colors.

All the colors of the

rainbow are in heaven,

except they're all more.

- More what?

- Just more and brighter.

How do you know about this horse?

Because I saw him in heaven.

You were in heaven?

Dad, can we talk about this tomorrow

because I'm getting really sleepy.

Okay.

Dad, can I sleep in your room tonight?

No. No, we're going to go ahead

and sleep here.

It's late, guys. Come on.

- Open the door!

- Sorry.

Are you asleep?

Colton just told me he went to heaven.

What? When?

Just now.

No, when did he go to heaven?

He said that during his operation,

he left his body,

and he looked back on the operating table

and saw himself.

He has a very beautiful imagination.

I'll do it, too. I'll have the same thing.

Hi, how are you, Rosa? Can we get...

What do you think?

Milkshake.

- Two milkshakes, please.

- How is everything?

- Okay, great.

So, Colton,

I want to ask you about

when the angels sang to you.

Sure.

I was alone, but I wasn't scared.

I was at the church.

The door was closed.

I opened it.

And I saw something wonderful.

Hallelujah

Hallelujah

I saw angels and they were singing to me.

Can we sing We Will Rock You?

Colton, do you know who I am?

You're not afraid?

Nobody here wants to hurt me.

That's right, Colton.

And nobody here ever will.

There are some people here

who want to meet you.

So, what did they sing?

I asked them to sing We Will Rock You,

but they wouldn't.

And they laughed just like that.

Milkshake.

Moreland University,

Department of Psychology,

Chairman's office.

- May I speak with Dr. Slater, please'?

- Are you calling for an appointment?

Yeah. Is there any chance

she could see me today?

- Dr. Slater?

- Yes.

Hi. I'm Todd Burpo.

Yes, please come in.

Thanks for seeing me on short notice.

"Burpo". Are you a

minister over in Imperial?

Yeah. Yes. How'd you know that?

My late husband was religious. Please, sit.

He had heard about a speaker

named Burpo who was very interesting

and he kept badgering me to come hear you.

You're not?

- Not what?

- Religious.

No. Is that a problem?

No.

No, you might offer me a harder opinion,

help me find a more rational

understanding for something.

I have a son who's extremely smart.

And he's sensitive.

And?

He went to heaven.

And then he came back.

- Your son had a near-death experience?

- No, he didn't die.

We checked his surgical reports.

His heart never stopped,

his brain activity never flatlined.

- So, why do you say he went to heaven?

- Because he says he did.

At the point near death,

the body releases hormones that can

induce a state of peace, even bliss.

Our brains fill in the blanks.

Christians see Jesus, Jews see Moses,

Muslims see Muhammad.

Yeah, I read your article, but my son

saw things that I can't really explain.

He saw me praying. He saw me

shouting at God. He saw his mother

in another wing calling friends,

asking them to pray for us.

All the while, he was in surgery.

- Reverend Burpo...

- Todd.

Todd.

Is it unusual for your wife

to call friends in a time of crisis?

No. No, it's not.

And is it unusual for you to pray?

Or become passionate when you do?

No. No. Of course not. But I know my son.

And when he talks about heaven,

it doesn't sound like something

he's making up.

He's very specific. He's four.

- And he's extremely smart.

- Yes. Both of my kids are.

Reverend...

Todd, I don't mean to discount

whatever magic it is

you derive from all of this,

but there are many explanations,

even for extrasensory knowledge.

Is it really easier to believe in that

or clairvoyance or telepathy

than it is life after the physical?

Believe in miracles?

I've found such concepts

to be a bit circular.

Even before I watched my husband die.

Let me ask you,

did you come here today because

you were wondering about my faith?

Or were you wondering about your own?

Thanks for your time.

You're welcome.

What if you have an encounter so far

beyond your own experience that it's

irrational?

What then?

This looks like trouble here.

- Todd, we're so happy about Colton.

- Thank you.

Thanks. Thank you very much.

See you later. Good.

There he is.

- How are you doing, buddy?

- Good. How are you?

How's that Colton doing today?

Is he back to torturing his sister?

Yes.

I need some advice, smart advice.

Well, I am not smart,

so you came to the right guy.

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