"The Day of the Dead..."

"Dia de los Muertos" -- November 1, aka "All Saints Day". AHO!

Sure, we all know October 31 as Halloween, replete with kids in costumes going trick or treating door to door (not everyone participates in those celebrations, of course). But broadening our Awareness beyond our American noses, November 1 and 2 are revered holidays in their own right in Mexico, for example. And don't even think these are sombre occasions...they are usually very festive and colorful celebrations of those that have passed on before...

In most localities November 1, All Saints Day, is set aside for remembrance of deceased infants and children, often referred to as 'angelitos' (little angels). Those who have died as adults are honored November 2, All Souls Day. Traditions vary among regions and villages; in short, they respect those who have transitioned before them, be it through home festivities, graveside services, church funtions. It is always a good thing to have an open mind to learn things for yourself...rarely is it a good idea to take and accept someone else's 'word' as the Truth. "Viva la Mexico!" for that lesson! The Day of the Dead!

While death is a topic largely avoided in the USA, the remembrance of deceased ancestors and loved ones is traditional among diverse cultures around the globe, often marked by lighting candles or lamps and laying out offerings of food and drink. Such celebrations can be traced back as far as the glory days of ancient Egypt when departed souls were honored during the great festival of Osiris. ( http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/muertos.html )

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So a few trick-or-treaters came by tonight, finally...the first, though, was the most magical...a 2-yr. old girl in a Curious George monkey costume...as her parents stood by and I sat on the porch with the young girl and quickly chatted, the fact that I make Native American flutes came up and, long story short....I went inside to get my special Boo Flute and sat back down to play it for her (which I can do even with the sling, thankfully)...she held the end of the barrel to feel the vibration...and for those magical 3 minutes mom, dad, daughter, and gimp candyman had a very special time. The little girl's eyes lit up with the sound of the flute, which is not unusual at all...it is the power of the instrument, I tell you...it made the whole night. Made theirs. Made mine. As well it should have.

You experience those moments, fleeting as they are, and you do well to grasp them and embrace them for what they are, inescapable magical moments. All else that transpired last night was fluff. Pure fluff. May we all grow in wisdom enough to see and seize such moments to make them part of our every day Reality...