Day of the Dead

Today is Day of the Dead, and that's pretty much how I feel today. Too many late nights and early mornings! Maybe let's just call it All Souls Day. Sounds better, huh?

We had the smallest turn out ever for Halloween. No one until after 7. Maybe a dozen little ones and 2 dozen teenagers. After 8:30, only big kids were coming around, driving up and parking in front of our home then trolling for free candy. So I turned off the outside lights. Those kids can drive to the store and buy their own candy.

Celebrating Today

Here in Texas, many celebrate November 1 as the Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos as they do throughout Mexico and around the world in other cultures. The holiday isn't as macabre as it sounds. It's actually a day for friends and family to gather and remember loved ones who have passed on. That's kind of nice -- a day of remembrance in effect.

Día de los Muertos is celebrated in conjunction with the Catholic holidays of All Saints' Day (honoring the saints), also November 1, and All Souls' Day (briefly simplified, a day of prayer and special services to help cleans the departed of their sins) on November 2. All the celebrations share in common the purposes of honoring and offering respect to those who have died.

Takeaway Truth

Take a moment to honor your departed loved ones and say a prayer for them. Take an even longer time to honor the living rather than taking them for granted.