What if its just a pretty story... my son and I have these discussions often... especially since Cara died... I don't believe its just a pretty story but I don't now how I could convince you or my son of why... I can tell you this... God has been active in my life for as long as I can remember... I've made mistakes and taken myself out of God's circle many times... he comes after me... sometimes he stands right behind me waiting and willing me to turn my life around... he's sent me visions when I needed them most... and I do believe... I don't necessarily think we've got it all right about just who God is... just that he is...

I have a very strong faith, its not just believing, its knowing and like Carasmom, I dont know how to convince you...but here is something to think about. My son Josh died 6/18/05, about a month after I was sitting on my back step crying, needing a sign that he was ok. I wiped my tears and looked down and I found my very first 4 leaf clover, I know with all my heart and soul that Josh helped me see it. A few months later, there was a big concert that my daughter and friends all went to (Josh was suppose to go too) it was an outdoor concert and Amanda (my daughter) was with about 25-30 of their friends, one of the friends yelled "holy crap its Josh" and pointed to the sky.....there was a cloud in the shape of a J. Those who had camera phones took pictures and showed me.....it wasnt a perfect J, but it was a J none the less.
I know there is more than "this" the miracle of life is too spectacular to only be this......
I wish you peace and Strength
Karen....forever Josh's mom

I'm so sorry that at such a young age you are without your sister. I also lost my sister, and my mother, killed by a drunk driver. And yes, I have heard it all, people mean well, they really do- but they can talk and tell you--oh, she is in heaven, she is better off, they went together, they died instantly- they felt no pain. Well all this is true- they are in heaven, they felt no pain and I they did go together. Mama always had to have one of her girls where ever she went. Even if I know all these things are true-- I still miss them every minute of everyday. I was the baby, we did everything together. I have a huge hole in my life, at some point I'm sure my memories will fill that hole- atleast til I am with them again. I hope you enjoyed your sister as I did mine, we where best friends, we laughed, giggled and made fun of Mama, all the things sisters do, she was 57 and I am 49. I had many more years with my sister than you did but it's not always quanity but, quality, that counts. There are many books for you to read on afterlife, myself, yes I believe. But I was a believer before this happened. Start a dream journal(private) she may come to you in your dreams. Mine has.
I will pray for you and here if you need to talk.
Karen

faith is curious thing. there are times when something happens that really rocks our faith. i believe that no matter what religion you are as long as you have your faith in your religion that there is no right or wrong one. i was raised to believe in the afterlife and can not doubt that, because it is too frightening to think of it any other way. As for the hole in your heart, it will never heal, but the pain will lessen in time

Some of the most convincing testimonies I've heard of people's faith in God have been stories I've heard from them after they have prayed and asked Him to reveal Himself to them and remove any doubts, if He is real. And He did. Wouldn't hurt to give it a try...and I'd love to hear your story too, if you get one.

For only 17 years old year, you have proposed a question that I don't think anyone can answer with 100% confidence. I would like to think that there is an amazing afterlife. I'd like to think that my Mom is out there somewhere, living it up. But I just don't know. We had such a close relationship and for 3 years now, I have been waiting for her to give me signs, to show me that she's still around. And I can tell you this... the only sign I have ever received from my Mom is about 3 days after her death, my husband and I were eating at a noodle place and I looked down at my plate and off to the side, there was one noodle, that was in the perfect shape of the letter S (S for Sandi) and I just knew that it was my Mom. I felt peace. But that was it. That was it. In my 37 years of living with my Mom... all she had to offer was a mongolian bbq S. I knew it was her. However, I have stil been waiting for her to come back and give me a better sign. A bigger sign. Anything to tell me that she was okay and living a better life than what she was living on earth. Nothing yet. But I'm hopeful.

Sorry if I got off the subject... it's something I've been wanting to get off my chest for awhile.