Recently, after a long day at work, I went over to the local Barnes and Noble. I went directly to the "Spirituality & Religion" section to quench my thirst for other's accounts on near death experiences and medium's stories. It comforts me to know what will happen when we die and that spirits of loved ones are circling around us.

I've been fascinated reading medium, Theresa Caputo's experiences with the "other side." Reading about what mediums supposedly know and can hear is truly remarkable. Think what you will about mediums, but they have the ability to verify that heaven is there once we die. In order for me to fully grasp something, I do like proof. Miracles and divine intervention stories certainly authenticate the bigger picture for me; to know that there is something beyond us.

My granddaddy passed away about two months ago. The pain of his death has affected my entire family. Of course we are all sad that he is gone from the human world, but his beautiful soul shines bright in a much better place. It's weird and puzzling to think about and wrap my head around what really happens when we meet death. So as I sat there on the Barnes and Noble floor with piles of medium stories and angel books, it gave me a better understanding of where my granddaddy is and comfort that his spirit is still with us.

I used to doubt if heaven was for real and if the Catholic faith was worth following. I had been raised a Catholic and have attending Catholic schools since I started my school years. But once I got around to high school, something just didn't feel right so I stopped. Being at an all girl Catholic school, I thought it was somewhat cool to say you did not believe.

Once my beloved grandfather began to get very sick, something changed inside me. He was a man of Christ but did not put it in anyone's faces or preach what he believed. He simply was a quiet man of faith. A funny memory I have of him, is at the dinner table at my nana's house. He was so hungry to eat the food in front of him, he stops himself to bless the food he was about to eat and thank God for it. He says grace almost drooling. He reminds me to be grateful for what we have been given.

After his death, something told me to turn back to my faith and that it would be worth it in the end. Out of my grandfather's memory and emulating love, I decided to give my religion a second chance.

In honor of you, Granddaddy.