Save Me A Sausage Roll Will You?

Hi Mum,

‘Hi Love, Happy New Year.’

Happy New, what did you do over the holidays?

‘It’s been a busy time for your Dad and I.’

I can imagine, did you know Hanukkah and Christmas fell on the same day this year!

‘Yes Love but we’re not Jewish.’

No I know but it’s nice that other faiths can all come together on the same day to celebrate love and peace.

I have lots of Muslim friends and although Eid didn’t coincide in the same way as the Jewish and Christian calendar did this year, it was nice to see friends pop up on my Facebook feed, pulling crackers, tucking into turkey crowns and dashing around in Santa suits.

I love that. Inclusivity at its best.

So am I to believe it’s the same for you and Dad up there in heaven? Did you both pull a cracker and spin a dreidel with the departed?

Do you all come together as one during the holidays?

‘Ooh Love, once you’re up here, you don’t come together, you are already one and the same.’

Really?

‘Faith has one common denominator and that’s Love.’

‘Religions can be interpreted in lots of different ways while on Earth, different beliefs, rituals, practices, promises but it all boils down to one thing in the end.’

Love?

‘That’s right.’

What about atheists and agnostics?

‘Spinning dreidels, pulling crackers, the lot.’

‘I say the lot, we’ve actually voted to amending one heavenly practice.’

What’s that?

‘Letting off fireworks. Noah built the most amazing arc but he didn’t soundproof it.’

So Jews pull crackers, Christians spin dreidels and what do the atheists and agnostics play?

‘Pictionary.’

Wow, that blows my mind. What if agnostics and atheists are listening to our conversations and don’t believe you?

‘Well they wouldn’t Love, and their beliefs are to be equally respected too. Every human being has the right to follow a faith or not.’

And not judged accordingly? So you’re saying if you don’t believe in God, when your time comes, there’s still room for one more on the conga line?

‘Absolutely.’

There is a place setting for everyone even if they choose not to RSVP?

‘That’s correct.’

Do you want to know my reason for following lots of different faiths Mum?

‘Is it for all the free food?’

Mum!

‘Only kidding, go on Love, why do you choose to follow lots of different faiths?’

Because the idea of you and I no longer existing together for eternity brings me great sadness but believing in something bigger, something unimaginable, something impossible, gives me hope, brings me joy, calms my mind.

I have faith in you Mum, I always have and I always will. Death will not part us. I refuse to let it. I just have a very strong sense that in some unprecedented way, we will be reunited again.

If different religions help me process purpose and meaning in my actions, my life choices, my decision making, if faith helps me become the very best version of myself, then I’m in, sign me up.