Heaven on Earth: A Day in the Life of Christy and Me

 

“It was an easy and wonderful day!”

Those are the words that so often begin the pages of my journal — not because life is perfect, but because we have learned something sacred:

Heaven on Earth is not found in grand extravagance… it is created in the gentle beauty of daily love, gratitude, peace, and purpose.

For Christy and me, Heaven on Earth is not some distant dream.
It is our lived reality.
It is built day by day, choice by choice, blessing by blessing.

The Sacred Beginning: Early Morning Purpose

Each weekday begins in the quiet stillness of early morning.

From 6am to 8am, I head to what I lovingly call my office — not a corporate tower, not a boardroom, but the two benches outside Metro Grocers on Somerled.

This is where my day truly begins.

Seated there in the morning air, I greet the world as it passes by.

Person after person…
Neighbor after neighbor…
Stranger after stranger…

I wish them all a great morning.

And in this simple yet powerful ritual, something extraordinary happens.

What may appear to some as merely sitting on a bench is, for me, an act of purpose.

It is a ministry of kindness.
A practice of presence.
A daily opportunity to brighten lives, uplift spirits, and help grow Heaven on Earth one greeting at a time.

In a world where many people move quickly, burdened by stress or lost in thought, a sincere smile, kind word, or cheerful blessing can be enough to remind someone:

You matter. You are seen. This day holds possibility.

Those two benches are more than a place to sit —
They are my community office.
A sacred space where positivity meets the public square.

And after these beautiful early hours of connection, I return home for one of my favorite moments of the day:

Waking Christy.

Not abruptly.
Not hurriedly.
But lovingly…

With a fresh cup of coffee and what has become our cherished little tradition:

The Heaven on Earth Bagel

A toasted poppy seed bagel…
Butter…
Cream cheese…
Raspberry jam…

Simple?
Yes.

But sometimes the simplest things are the most divine.

It is more than breakfast.
It is love served on a plate.
A reminder that joy often lives in the thoughtful details.

Building Strength Together

By 9:30am, we are off to the gym for a couple of hours.

This is more than exercise.
It is an investment in vitality.
In health.
In shared energy.

Together, we strengthen not only our bodies — but our bond.

Each step, each movement, each effort is a declaration:

We are building lives worth living.

Midday Blessings: Service, Friendship, and Comfort

By 12pm, each day unfolds with its own unique blessing.

Sometimes it is a meaningful trip to the food bank on Tuesdays — a reminder that serving others is one of life’s greatest privileges.

Sometimes it is lunch with dear friends like Marc.

Sometimes it is the comforting flavors of beloved favorites like Express Indien or Chalet BBQ.

And sometimes…
It is simply porridge and tea at home.

And therein lies one of life’s great secrets:

Joy is not dependent on extravagance.
It is found in appreciation.

Whether in service, friendship, or simplicity — every noon holds goodness.

Afternoon Rest: The Beauty of Slowing Down

At 2pm, the world slows.

A Hallmark movie…
Lying on the bed…
A shared story…
A peaceful pause…

In a culture that often glorifies busyness, we have discovered something richer:

Rest is holy.

These quiet hours are not laziness.
They are restoration.
A celebration of peace, companionship, and contentment.

Comfort Food, Comfort Life

By 4pm, it is time once again to create.

Depending on the day’s earlier adventures, dinner may be:

• Homemade pizza
• Pasta and Caesar salad
• Stagg Chili
• Or our beloved Special KD

This is not about perfection.
It is about comfort.
Nourishment.
Care.

Food has a beautiful way of saying:

You are home. You are safe. You are loved.

Evening Grace: Cuddles, Judy Justice, and Deep Peace

And then perhaps one of the sweetest parts of all…

Retiring to the bedroom…
A cuddle…
Judy Justice playing softly…
And often drifting into a peaceful shared nap.

There is profound beauty in simply being together.

Not performing.
Not striving.
Just… being.

Nightly Rituals: Joy, Care, and Ease

At 7pm, it is Jeopardy — a beloved daily ritual.

And then comes another sacred act of love:

Running Christy her Dr. Teal’s bath.

As she soaks peacefully until 10pm, I unwind with sports on TV.

This, too, is Heaven on Earth:
Not identical experiences…
But harmonious ones.

Two people, each enjoying their evening, while sharing the same sacred space of love.

The Greater Mission: Growing Heaven on Earth

Yet perhaps what matters most is not our schedule itself…

It is the consciousness behind it.

From those early morning greetings on Somerled…
To the gym…
To the food bank…
To every restaurant, store, or quiet interaction…

We remain aware of the effect we have on people.

We seek to uplift.
Encourage.
Inspire.
Bring light.

Because Heaven on Earth is not merely something to enjoy…

It is something to expand.

A smile.
A kindness.
A helping hand.
A moment of grace.

This is how Heaven grows.

Our Truth

So yes…
We truly do have a wonderful and easy life.

Not because we escaped hardship.
But because we chose gratitude.
Peace.
Love.
Routine.
Joy.

And perhaps that is the message for everyone:

Heaven on Earth is possible.

It may begin on a bench outside Metro…
With a kind word to a stranger…
A cup of coffee…
A toasted bagel…
A cuddle…
A bath…
A movie…
A shared meal…

And above all…

A heart committed to seeing life not as a burden…

But as a blessing.

And so, once again:

It was an easy and wonderful day.

And by the grace of God…

Everything continues to get better by the day.