This happens every year. When all the world are busy with parties and games, here in my place is different. This is the time of the year that we remember our beloved who have died.
I grew up with this tradition. Trick or Treat games or Halloween Parties does not exist in my world. It only did when I was, I think, in my teens. But even then, I didn't mind of it. For me it was for the rich people. In our place or even in our school, we don't spend this time partying.
This year, like some other years, i went to visit the grave of my father, grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends.
Like I would always do, I visit three cemeteries. These are far from each other. Travel time would always be longer than the time spent in front of the graves. What I do is that, on the way I already start my prayers. I don't bring candles, I chose to buy in the cemetery so that I could help people who are selling candles there, also to save from the trouble of taking them along. Candles are heavy when many.
These simple candles represents uniquely to each person who lights them.
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| My paternal grandparents |
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| My father's elder sister |
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| My paternal Aunts and Uncles |
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| My paternal uncle and cousin |
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| Paternal Aunt and cousin |
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| My maternal grandmother |
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| My maternal grandfather |
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| My maternal great grandmother |
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| My mother's brother |
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| Wife of Rolando Odicta |
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| My maternal uncle |
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| My cousin. |
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| Cousin |
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| My father |
My last stop is where my father's grave is. My whole family gathers here. My siblings with their kids meets here and pray and enjoy bonding over snacks and some native delicacies that are popularly prepared during this time.
This year, not like other years, is so different. It rained! But it didn't stop me from visiting these graves.
Aside from the Holy Mass and personal prayers that I offer for them, this time of the year is a special time for me to express my love for them. These people have loved me in their own special way, too, when they were alive.
May we not wait for this time to come to treat our dearly departed special, let us remember them often in our prayers. We just don't know how they badly need our help.
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SAVE A SOUL FROM HELL IN THREE SECONDS!
Everytime you pray the prayer below, you will save a person from going to the eternal damnation. You can save sixty souls from Hell in time it takes to boil a three minute egg. Incredible, but true. Such is the power of the names of Jesus and Mary. Such is the power of Love. Many soul go to Hell because no one prays for them. Here is the prayer:
"Jesus, Mary I Love You, save souls."
Source: Read Me or Rue It
