We never stop learning...even at 99 years old...

I have a cousin, who was raised as an aunt to me.  She is 99 years old.  She lives on her own in her own home and is an amazing person!  She is so strong and has so much wisdom.  She has seen so much in her lifetime, it is just amazing!  Through all her life, she has been to different churches, and has not come to a place where she believes there is a God.  She has been a nominal church member, talked to different pastors and been offended by over zealous preachers and friends telling her that she is going to hell.  She has had sincere questions that have gone unanswered.  She has been "shushed" for suggesting that there are holes in traditional theology.  Yesterday, I had the privilege of going to spend some time with her.  She has been diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer, and if being 99 isn't enough to be aware that one is close to death, having this diagnosis has definitely given her the idea that she is close to death.  I was able to have a deep conversation with her.  She has had a hard time to understand that there is one "person" who can know everything about everyone one in the world.  This doesn't compute for her.  I told her the famous quote:  "Show me a worm that understands man, and I will show you a man who understands the concept of God."  She laughed at that and had to nod her head in agreement.  As we talked, I didn't try to convince her, but finally I just told her,  "You know, it is easier to believe than NOT believe."  She agreed and said,  "Yes, that is true... because then I have peace."  And my next question to her was, "Why? -  Why does it give you peace?"   And she had to think about that one.  She told me, "You know, I am close to death, and it is like a big secret.  No one wants to talk about it."  It was really beautiful that we were able to talk about these important things openly.  I told her,  "You know, you started off as a baby, and couldn't even hold up your head.  Now you have seen so much and learned so much in nearly 100 years... do you think that it was for NOTHING?!?  How can it be?  Science teaches that energy is not lost but transferred... so where does it go?  There has to be something!"  And she agreed, "Yes, there has to be something."   I can't explain here all the different things that we talked about... the Bible, Hebrew Roots, Yeshua, the Disciples... etc.  but I can tell you there was a glimmer of hope in her eyes when we were done, and I am so thankful for that.