Today is the beginning of the three-day Mexican celebration called "Dìas de los Muertos" or "The Day of the Dead."
The Oakland Museum (in Oakland, CA) has an exhibit called Laughing Bones/Weeping Hearts commemorating the celebration. Earlier this month I was on jury duty (for a month!) at the courthouse right across the street from the museum. So during one of our lunch breaks I stopped by the exhibit.
The exhibit was very moving. All of the artists, from young school kids to elders, had created shrines to their late loved ones. The most touching for me was a multi-panel quilt with beautiful embroidered "remembrances" of loves ones, neighbors, and friends who had passed away. The rememberances where simple appreciations and recognitions of who these unnamed and anonymous deceased people were to the artist.
So in the spirit and anonymous style of this quilt, I'll offer my own remembrances of several of my own loved ones who have passed.
"... he always opened the door with a welcoming smile ..."
"... she always had sweets for us ..."
"... he used to put me on top of the refrigerator and then walk away in jest ..."
"... I loved her turkey and mashed potatoes but her peas were awful ..."
"... he was loved by everyone he knew ... there were 21 priests at his funeral ..."
"... she was a God-fearing woman but somehow found solace in her faith ..."
"... he always listened with care and openness ... always ..."
May you stop, if only briefly, over the next few days and remember the loved ones in your life who have passed. And may their death gift you with a sense of what's truly important in your own life.
Love,
-Steve
[The inserted picture is a piece by Jana Weston called Flora (2000). It is on display at the Oakland Museum through Dec 3.]
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