Ruth and Esther had been friends all of their lives.
When it was clear that Esther was dying, Ruth visited her every day.
One day Ruth said, “Esther, we both loved playing softball all our lives, and we played all through high school.
Please do me one favor: When you get to heaven, somehow you must let me know if there’s women’s softball there.”
Esther looked up at Ruth from her deathbed and said, “Ruth, you’ve been my best friend for many years. If it’s at all possible, I’ll do this favour for you.”
Shortly after that, Esther passed on.
A few nights later, Ruth was awakened from a sound sleep by a blinding flash of white light and a voice calling out to her, “Ruth, Ruth.”
“Who is it?” asked Ruth, sitting up suddenly. “Who is it?”
“Ruth — it’s me, Esther.”
“You’re not Esther. Esther’s just died.”
“I’m telling you, it’s me, Esther,” insisted the voice.
“Esther! Where are you?”
“In heaven,” replied Esther. “I have some really good news, and a little bad news.”
“Tell me the good news first,” said Ruth.
“The good news,” Esther said, “is that there’s women’s softball in heaven. Better yet, all of our old friends who died before me are here, too. Even better than that—we’re all young again!
“Better still, it’s always springtime, and it never rains or snows. And best of all, we can play softball all we want, and we never get tired.”
“That’s fantastic,” said Ruth. “It’s beyond my wildest dreams! So what’s the bad news?”