Today is Dia de los Muertos, a day to remember and celebrate those who have preceded us into the unknown that awaits us all. Today I'm remembering my parents, my in-laws, my cousin who passed shortly before shut-down last year, and a myriad of other people in my life - close and distant. Death is a part of the human experience. It might be more proper to say that death is a part of life's experience, because in our world, everything dies.
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It gets a bit cold up here to do traditional Dia de los Muertos celebrations, so altars are often made at home instead of at the cemetery. The graves are still visited and decorated, though, although eating meals and spending the day and often the night with those who have passed is hard to do when nighttime temperatures dip into the 20's F. |
That has set up a conundrum for humanity, because we fall into the comfortable and fear the unknown. Death is the great unknown, and with the exception of some religious beliefs, it's a one-way trip. To the best of my knowledge, that fear of the unknown - fear of death - doesn't pervade the thoughts, dreams, artwork, novels, music, and speech of any other entity on the planet except humanity. Yet, humans in all places and all walks of life, fight actively against death almost every day of our lives.
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I really loved this picture, so had to share it with all of you. In many ways, it's quite a benevolent Death, holding his skeletal hand out for the young lady. |
No pundit is silly enough to say that he or she has conquered death. No, what is claimed instead is a postponement. Eat this and you'll live longer. Do this exercise. Live your life this way. Don't forget to drink this before your nighttime meal, you'll live longer. But really, the question comes two-fold. (1) Do we want to live longer? And (2) Really? Why?
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In Mexico it is tradition to share a meal with the dead on Dia de los Muertos. Some families will spend the entire day at the cemetery, decorating the grave(s), eating, singing, and generally including the dead in the lives of the living. It sounds pretty good to me. |
What is gained by living longer? Isn't the important thing to live better, healthier, and have your independence for as long as you possibly can? Many of you have read my story about my mother and have been kind enough to comment on it. Mother lived for almost five additional years in that care center. Was she happy? I really can't say. If I had spoken to her pre-Alzheimer's self and told her what her future held, would she have wanted it? I'm sure she had some happy days, and I'm sure she had some sad ones. That's human nature. But was she truly happy? I can only hope so.
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In Tolkien, you have the Halls of Mandos, overseen by Lord Namo. Some elves go there voluntarily - Miriel comes to immediate mind. Others come there when their "immortal" lives are cut short - usually in Middle Earth. I've always seen Lord Namo as portrayed by Fiondil - a silent and brooding figure, but compassionate and heart-sore at the fate of his charges. |
So as you celebrate and remember your loved ones who have gone before you today on Dia de los Muertos, think also about yourself. Think about your life, and living it to the fullest. Think about the dreams you hold and whether or not they are still valid. If so, can you do something about achieving some of them? Look upon the life lessons you learned from those who have gone beyond the veil, and put those lessons into your own life.
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Live your life well. Treat each day as if it might be your last. Leave love in your pathway, not hatred. Remember others, be kind, and above all else, listen. Much of the time, listening is the greatest gift. |
For me, I say a loud "THANK YOU" to all who have intersected with my life and have passed from this realm to the next. I have been enriched by each of you, I have learned, I have laughed, and I will cry because I miss all of you. But beyond that, you gave me a part of yourself, and I value that above all else. Have an excellent day, I'll be back tomorrow.
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