Ostrom's Eden

January 15, 1986

I

’ve never met anyone who can present irrefutable proof, positive evidence there is a heaven. That theory remains the greatest mystery of human existence on planet earth. Our Christian religion discusses the subject and the concept of a life hereafter. How to qualify for admission is a debated cornerstone of those beliefs. The concept of “a better place” is an integral part of practically every known religion among humans since their lives on earth began.

For the sake of this discussion we are going to assume there is another life after this one. That leads to the question of, “What is it like there?” Early Scandinavians had Valhalla, American Indians had The Happy Hunting Grounds and the Sand Hills, Greeks the Elysian fields, and there are many other words like Paradise, and Eden. There are unnumbered concepts of heaven, but I doubt that any of us would be very successful if we had the job of designing it.

Most of us tend to think of “The Perfect World” as a place that has no violence, no unhappiness, plenty of food for everyone, and no worries about anything. Christian religions talk about living in a state of blessedness, without sin, in the presence of a kind, benevolent God. If you seriously get to thinking about this, you have to get worried about just how people spend their time there. Seems like forever is a long, long time to sit around in a state of blessedness. Few people are crazy enough to seriously attempt designing a heaven, but then, they don’t have to turn out a column every week.

George Ostrom’s heaven would have more beautiful trails to hike and mountains to climb than I could ever get to. There would be a wide variety of mysterious streams with big trout lurking in unexpected riffles and pools, and there would be dear friends to share good times. Ostrom’s Eden would have great silent places where people could go and watch thunderstorms sweep across prairies, vast rugged hills, and great undulating oceans. There would be mournful winds to bring snowstorms howling around your home so that dancing flames in the fireplace seemed the best of evening companions. A beloved dog would be sleeping on the hearth.

In my garden of Eden there would be soil to till so we could watch the miracle of a tiny seed turning into something tasty to eat, and there would be other soil for growing grass along the seashores or over rolling hills where people could hit a little ball and then chase it to their hearts content. 

There would also be all kinds of work … a wide variety, so people with devotion to accomplishment could seek the joy of doing something very difficult and seeing their work make life more interesting or easy for themselves and others. 

It could be a special rock wall, a small oil painting, or a great symphony. There is no emotion within the human soul more rewarding than the feeling of being needed and useful to others.

For now, my heaven is right here on earth. I don’t know why very difficult times are thrown in with the good, but maybe it is because we all must be tested in the hardest of struggles to eliminate the evil, ignorance and inequality that comes with having a soul.

I’m in over my head. I’m going to end this column right now and go watch the Chicago Bears and the Los Angeles Rams on the television. I wonder if a state of blessedness includes watching pro football?

(Writer’s Note: This original column was done thirty years ago and reprinted twice since then.)

G. George Ostrom is a national award-winning columnist for Hungry Horse News. He lives in Kalispell.