Heaven On Earth

By Jimmy Smith

Heaven On Earth is based on a true story about a young man named Jimmy Smith from New Jersey. Heaven On Earth blurs the line between fiction and reality. The reader is left to decide what to believe.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: May 10, 2014
• ISBN: 9781312178854

Book preview

Heaven On Earth

Heaven On Earth

Heaven

On

Earth

Jimmy Smith

Based On A True Story

Preface

We are truly blessed to grow up in a country like the United States of America.  We often take for granted things that people in other parts of the world would consider luxuries.  Things like freedom, rights, liberties, and above all, the pursuit of happiness.  We all have an understanding of these things but the pursuit of happiness is left open for interpretation.  We have the freedom to pursue whatever it is that makes us happy. Stop and think about what it means…the pursuit of happiness?

What is happiness?

How do you pursue it?

Happiness is a state of spiritual bliss.

True happiness can only come from things that are spiritually fulfilling.  A lot of people think money can buy happiness.  People think that a new job, a new car, a new house or other material things will make them happy.  The truth is that when it comes to material things, there is always something more expensive, better or newer.  People who pursue money instead of happiness will always end up wanting more.  However, if a person decides to pursue happiness, they can truly be fulfilled.

Think about how your birthday wishes progress throughout your life.

What did you wish for when you were 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42?  Amazing how what you are wishing for changes so much throughout your life.  What made you happy at 7 is a lot different then what made or will make you happy at 21, 35 or 42.  For example, that new toy you got when you were 7 would likely be an odd gift to receive as a 21 year old.  Yet if the shoe were on the other foot, the drinks you had with your friends at 21 wouldn’t make you happy as a 7 year old, they would probably make you sick.  A lot of happiness is perception.  So if I were to tell you to think of happy places to grow up, I’m sure New Jersey wouldn’t be on the top of your list, but for me, New Jersey is heaven.

Chapter One

In The Beginning

It’s 1962 on a warm summer day in Rockaway, NJ.  The cool wind blowing off White Meadow Lake cools my skin to goosebumps even in the warm, setting sun.  8!  9!  10!  READY OR NOT HERE I COME!!  I hear my brother Billy yell from a distance as my sister Kate squeezes my hand in fear.  We are hiding behind a tall oak tree and Billy is the hunter in an old fashioned game of hide and seek.

Is he coming?!?  Kate anxiously asks me.

Shhhhh…yes he is.  Be quiet!  I was louder than her telling her to be quiet.

A peaceful silence overcame the moment as we could hear nothing but the wind flipping autumn leaves along the green grass.  I was enjoying the serenity, smiling to myself as I pictured my brother looking for us.

FOUND YA!!!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!  My sister’s scream pierced my ears as Billy jumped from behind the tree and scared us both.

I told you to be quiet Kate!!  Billy heard you and that’s how he found us!

No it’s not!

Yes it is!

No it’s not!

Yes it IS!

NO IT’S NOT!!!

Billy!   Jimmy!!…what are you doing to your sister?  My father shouted from the house.

NOTHING!!  She started it!  I yelled back.

DID NOT!!

DID TO!!

DID NOT!!!

KIDS!!!  COME INSIDE!  IT’S DINNER TIME!  My Dad ended the argument as the three of us raced into the house.  Billy got to the sink first to wash his hands as Kate and I wrestled for 2nd place.

I was here first!

No I was!

Jimmy!  Kate!  Stop fighting!  It’s dinner time.  My mother had spoken.  We knew better than to not listen to our mom, especially in front of dad.

After we all washed our hands, we helped our dad set the table as mom stirred a steaming pot of spaghetti.  My mom’s spaghetti and meatballs were my favorite!  It was a secret family recipe and just the smell of the kitchen made my mouth water.  Once the table was set, I hurriedly took my seat.  As soon as the final spoonful of spaghetti hit my plate, I leaned my head into the middle of the steam and inhaled deeply through my nostrils.  I love the feeling of a good spaghetti sauna.  Next up, the secret spaghetti sauce and meatballs.  It wouldn’t be fair to call it the icing on the cake because you could eat this stuff alone like soup.  In other words, it was delicious!  My mom knew to give the kids an equal amount of meatballs, otherwise, no one would be happy.  I always found it strange that my parents took less for themselves than they gave to us, but I wasn’t too concerned.  After all, the more meatballs for me the better!  You could sense the anticipation from Billy, Kate and me while we waited for our mom to sit down so we could say grace and eat!

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