Every Sunday, throughout the month of October, a group of us join together in the art of remembering-all leading up to the Dia de Los Muertos in November-aka All Souls Day. Our hosts, Rebecca and Stephanie lead us graciously on this journey. Won't you join us? Joining can be as simple as visiting all the links posted on their blogs of those who participate. Share with us the beauty of remembering.
As Rebecca had written (I've taken an excerpt from her poem):
"treasure all those
who have graced our lives with their own courage and verve.
to reaffirm the promise to live life fully,
straight from our hearts, boldly, with great unending passion,
one full day at a time."
(Marigold Parade participant in the south valley of Albuquerque, NM 2010)
"Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" -1 Cor 15:54-55
Pope John Paul II has said that "in a world that denies death and does everything to hide it, it is urgently necessary to recall the inevitability of an event that is part of the history of every person."
Initially, it would seem that both quotes might be disparate. But, if you read through the Corinthian's quote a couple of times, you just might change your mind. I find both to be equally compelling quotes. Thought provoking. For most of us, confronting our mortality makes us retract. Facing the inevitable is difficult-and, letting go of those we've lost can be just as difficult. John Paul is spot on in his observation of us. Which is why celebrating Dia de los Muertos has taken a front seat in how I celebrate the lives of those I've lost. I GET IT. And, I am grateful for having knowledge as I continue to learn how others celebrate this event and how it has positively impacted their lives.
I put together a video for this weeks post. It is a part of the art of remembering for me.
Initially, it would seem that both quotes might be disparate. But, if you read through the Corinthian's quote a couple of times, you just might change your mind. I find both to be equally compelling quotes. Thought provoking. For most of us, confronting our mortality makes us retract. Facing the inevitable is difficult-and, letting go of those we've lost can be just as difficult. John Paul is spot on in his observation of us. Which is why celebrating Dia de los Muertos has taken a front seat in how I celebrate the lives of those I've lost. I GET IT. And, I am grateful for having knowledge as I continue to learn how others celebrate this event and how it has positively impacted their lives.
I put together a video for this weeks post. It is a part of the art of remembering for me.
7 comments:
i saw somewhere that today was your birthday!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Hope it is the best day ever!!!
What a beautiful video and love story you shared with us, thank you.
Adriana
oh paula,
this is beautiful. i am so touched that you created a video that comforts and sings so strongly of the enduring love of scotty and marian. thank you for taking so to heart the art of remembering. i too have been so touched by every ones out pourings that i intend to continue this new tradition every october. soon it will be A Virgin a Day!
and do i understand that today is your birthday? here is too a beautiful glorious year!
To paraphrase (rather crudely, I'm afraid) the good John Paul II: "No one gets out of here alive."
Wow....such an awe inspiring post!! Great composition of the video too.
And.........not to forget, I found your Balboa Park shadow shot very unique. Enjoyed it.
Thanks for popping by yesterday for my Shadow Shot. Today's post is:
Macro Halloween Candle Holder...Eerie!!
HAVE A TERRORIFIC WEEK!!
Really beautiful Paula, this too has become a big part of our lives and tradition in how we remember our loved ones.
x..x
I love that the Mexican culture embraces impermanence and is not in denial about death, like our culture tends to be. Beautiful quotes!
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