Celebrating Day of the Dead

Celebrating My Roots on All Soul’s Day

As a child, Fall was my favorite season and Halloween my favorite holiday. Perhaps it was that my early November birthday gave me reason to host a spooky costume birthday celebration. Or maybe that Halloween satisfied my love of chocolate and flair for drama.

My love of the season is ever deeper as I reflect on the true significance of November 2.

Please indulge a tribute on this All Souls Day/Dia de Los Muertos/Day of the Dead.

First, I am so grateful to have the problems that I have. My ancestors (and yours) didn’t have the luxury of our worries: Which preschool do I choose? What vendor do I partner with? Where should we go on vacation? In which direction should I take my career? Do I buy the MAC or PC? To Kindle, or not to Kindle..?

They were too busy trying to survive. Thank goodness they were heartier than I, for I would have certainly been utterly pathetic and perished during my first Mid-West winter.

The only evidence I need to prove their heartiness is my existence. But with regard to my grandparents, I have more.

First, my late Grandma Thelma. Things I know she endured: Midwest Winters, an ailing mother, covered wagon, death of her husband, raising three boys, farming, arthritis, and death of a son. And the only worry I can recall her expressing was concern that increasing memory loss would result in her forgetting us, her family. Until her last days, this increasingly tiny woman had an enormous sense of humor, matched only by her appetite and compassion.

Then there’s my very much alive Grandpa Bob and Grandmother Dori. Things I know they endured: orphaned at age 7, built a business from nothing, lost a thriving business to a life-long employee’s theft, cancer (cured), viral-enduced paralysis (cured), heart bypass (many), raising six (six!) children, and losing a son. And now, in their 80s, they fish any day they can, quilt, build steel sheds, deliver meals on wheels (to “Old” people), and still have vibrant senses of humor and, I think, a crush on each other.

I can’t hold a candle to this. All I need to lose my sense of humor is a poor night’s sleep, weak coffee, or a two-year old’s tantrum. Born into the post-Industrial age, I am free to concern myself with finding ways to build relationships and express my talents in ways that give to the world and create income (after I sync my iphone, update Facebook, check my email, buy groceries, and pay my bills online).

Whether you were adopted or know your genetic lineage, you can practice gratitude to those who cared for you, sacrificed for you, and the multitude of faceless ancestors who survived loads or who-knows-what before you were ever a possibility, then a reality.

Warmest and spirited regards,

Denise

For those who care to contemplate further, here are some questions for reflection

• - What did your ancestors endure?
• - What talents/gifts of yours can you see in your living elders?
• - What annoying traits of theirs can you find in yourself?
• - How can you bring lightness to this awareness?
• - How can you increase your compassion, patience, gratitude for your elders and ancestors?
• - How can you express your gifts to benefit others?
• - Who do you need to phone, write, or skype today?

Book recommendation:
Murther and Walking Spirits by Robertson Davies

Please share your discoveries!