Celebrating and recalling our dead is a proclamation to LIFE would you not agree? Don't we speak to our loved ones, departed from their earthly shackles and shame, now on another plane, a dimension far beyond our comprehension? Deep in your secret heart, are you not happy for their victory?
I know I talk to those I've lost to the next life.
Not lost to death.
To the NEXT LIFE.
The next step.
And today 11-2 is All Soul's Day, a time to celebrate the glory of the lives gone on ahead of us. Not death. It is not for a fool's use, not for a religious scheme.
Although it has its origins in the catholic faith, many varied ways of celebrating this feast have long departed from the standard religious "prayerful" tradition.
Today people gather to make skulls from candy, bring baskets of fruit to the cemetery in offering and joy as they remember those they love, they dress up and in some places special caves are kept where the skulls of ancestors are kept, in proper decorum. A far cry from the Western view of a dead body, eh?
I like this one better.
My loved ones were not the sum of their bodily parts. They had emotions and ideas.
They had LOVE. They had LIFE. And this is the day I intend to honor what stays alive long after we're dust again. 
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9 comments:
You might be interested in the Madagascar custom of Famadihana, which actually involves an annual disinterring of the dead & rewrapping the ancestors in new shrouds. Wikipedia has a short article on it here, & you can also see it in an excellent documentary called "Like a God When He Plays" about a great valiha player(the valiha is a unqiue string instrument)
It is quite a magical day with the full moon.
A wonderful day.
much love
I remember my loved one who have passed almost every day, but today as you say is a very special day set aside for them, God bless them all.
Love never dies.. :) Have a good week!
I'm Irish bred, we dig wakes! CELEBRATE LIFE! Here and next.
JOHN: I checked out "turning of the bones" and recognized the custom just didn't know the name lol until you supplied that link, thank you! And what a beautiful bamboo flute-like instrument the valiha is, just in design it's unique. I'm learning alot about Madagascar thanks to you - till now I just thought well, that's where those long-tails lemurs live lol!
Yes Cathy This is that day in which I remember a lovely soul which has gone before me. She was everything that God had planned for a human spirit Although I sadly miss her she still appears in some of the voices I hear the sights I see and the love that is deeply felt by those who loved her Elaine
Kathy, I have been battling computer demons. This is so full I never know if I am going to get it to go or not. Thank you for commenting on my blog Day to Day Life. I am sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you. I am so glad I did. I may be near 80 but I love your blog. I add to this when I can but at 80 in a few days my life is pretty calm.
Dear KAthy
Yes I love the Day of the Dead..although I do not set places for dead relatives with their favorites foods at the table nor do I create an alter for them every year..I know someone who does this..do you like those traditions? thank you for describing All Souls Day!
Please come see me at Lurkynat and leave comments!
hugs,natalie
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