Whenever my husband and I travel to West Virginia to visit my mother I am reminded of the beloved state I left almost 8 years ago.

My eyes become misty when I drive up the final hill in Maryland and just before the crest of the hill I see the sign "Welcome To West Virginia".

What makes West Virginia so special?  The people!  That's right, the down home people, the ones who will say "Hello" when they pass you on the street.  These same people who will wait for a duck to cross the street, instead of running over it because they are in a hurry.  John Denver had it right when he wrote the song "Almost Heaven" because to me West Virginia is "Almost Heaven".  The key word is Almost, I long for the day when I can return to West Virginia.  One thing I have noticed about West Virginia is even if you were not born there it becomes a part of you.

This is my opinion is the way heaven is - you are not physically born in heaven but once you become a Christian your soul longs to return to the heavenly realms from which it came.  Jesus is a part of my life and a part of me.  He helps me to see that "little bit of heaven" right here on earth everyday.  And when I visit the "Almost Heaven" state I am reminded that Heaven is much better then Almost.

by Michelle Liga

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