Easter in paradise

39One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"
40But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? 41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."
42Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
43Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
--- Luke 23:39-43

I posted this yesterday on Good Friday, and it reminded me of something. When my grandma was dying last year, we were all sitting around her bed, and my grandpa quoted this verse. Then he said "Today, Jesus is saying to Norma Jean, 'Today, you will be with me in paradise.' "
 
Last year, my grandma was in the hospital on Easter. This year she is celebrating her first Easter in heaven with the Risen King! And although we miss her greatly, and Easter here on Earth won't be the same without her, what joy, what peace to know that someday, we will all be celebrating in paradise!