All Saints’ Day

I love Halloween! Next to Christmas, it is my most house-decorated, fun and best day to see kids enjoying themselves.

I’m usually bummed on November 1st even though it is a celebratory day for many. So…I decided to take a dive into the day’s significance in hopes of shedding light on it for myself and others.

October 31 through November 2 mark Dia de los Muertos or the Day of the Dead It is a celebration for people of Mexican heritage in which they honor their departed loved ones. I love the pageantry and attitude with which they honor those who have gone before. Celebrants often take a more humorous turn on these days, remembering the humorous things their loved ones said or did.

Yesterday, I carved a jack-o’-lantern. I do this every year, but usually have kids or grandkid to share this artwork with. Last year, I was in Las Vegas with our granddaughter, AJ, and her mom and dad. I carved a pumpkin with her. This year, I carved a unicorn pumpkin with her earlier in October. I thought I was done for this Halloween. But, I had to carve a pumpkin on Halloween in remembrance of my dad.

He’s the one who taught me to carve a jack-o’-lantern. He was a prefectionist in this effort as much as he was in sign making and other artistic endeavors. Therefore, I hold myself to very high standards.

This year’s jack-o’-lantern did not turn out great and I post the results here to illustrate. But being imperfect on Halloween seems appropriate. As I sat and carved with my dad’s panama hat nearby, I remembered him. Truthfully, I was grumpy at not doing such a great job. And mad at myself for taking on an extremely difficult “Nightmare Before Christmas” depiction of Jack and Sally.

I realized later that the outcome of my artwork was not important…it was the process. I had time to reflect. Honestly, I do not remember details of carving a pumpkin with my dad. But I do remember him for teaching me the process.

This year, I’m looking differently at this day, November 1st. When seen as a joyful celebration of family members and friends who have left us, it is a joyful day tinged with sadness.

Will I have a party today? No. But I will light a candle and remember those who had an impact on my life as a way to honor them: my dad, Jerry Ramey; my granddaddy and grandma, Max and Claryce Petty; my grandpa and nanny, Cecil and Lucille Ramey; my father-in-law, Eddie Welch; my aunt, Anne Yacobi; a godly influence, Hilda Waddell; and so many others.

If you care to, join me in remembering those you miss, please know that I mourn with you, but I choose today to remember them fondly. I thank them all for their roles in my life…even still.

A quote from “Cloud Cuckoo Land”

the long awaited novel from the auther, Anthony Doerr, of my favorite book of all time,

“Sometimes the things we think are lost are only hidden, waiting to be rediscovered. “

Right on Mr. Doerr.

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