A wonderful man from my parish died a few weeks ago. He was told last summer that his cancer would take his life within six months. Jim was artistic in skill as well as in his appreciation of art. His friends asked if he wanted to travel to Paris to see the world's great art. They pondered a gift of collecting cash for this possible adventure.

Instead of making a pilgrimage to Paris, Jim said he simply wanted to spend his time back at the high school where he worked: teaching and guiding students. He wanted to continue to make a difference in the lives of teens.

Perhaps it is in the simple choices of where and how we place our gifts that we get our first glimpse of heaven.