Sunday, November 4, 2007

The thin veil

In church today we celebrated Dia de la Muerta (the day of the dead), the day we remember and celebrate the lives of those who have past in the last year. For those of you who know me well, you know i have this "thing" about death. I don't know how to decribe it really, it's sort of a curiosity boardering on obsession. As I have aged, however, it's not as pronounced as it used to be and I confess I am more comfortable with the thought of dying now than I have been in years past. I think part of that is due, in part, to the feeling that should I cross over now at least my kids are old enough and could move on easier than if it had happened when they were wee ones.

They say that this time of year is when the veil between this world and the next is at its thinnest. I am fascinated by the imagery of this statement, and am curious about the logic behind it. I know, this stuff defies logic - but why this time of year? Why not April or May? What's magical about this time of year(except for the fact that I was born in this month)?

In my friend Ahna's house I think the veil doesn't exist sometimes, given her stories of late. Although I've had a couple of otherworldly experiences myself, I envy her. I envy her in the same way I envy that chick, Allison DuBois, from the show Medium, or John Edward. They seem to have much more control over their skill...I covet that!

In anycase - I appreciate the tradition in our church to recognize and celebrate these souls. I don't know what's on the other side of this life, but I do know that life is an amazing journey, a gift, and I love the tradition of celebrating instead of mourning for these lives that have touched us so.

1 comment:

Iguana Banana said...

This entry echoes so much of what I've been thinking as of late. The only explanation that I could come up with is the Christian calendar is placed over an old Pagan calendar - and perhaps this time of year felt the most frightening. OR maybe this time of year feels ready for death, with the plants and crops having shed their blossoms and bounty, leaving naked the dying stems - dead but not quite gone...
Did you have the same gospel in church "do unto others...?" the gospel and lessons really all talked about these same things (I know, All Saints Sunday) I feel sort of comforted by the fact that our families surround us still, just not in the way that we always understand.
Can you tell that I haven't really figures all of this out in my head? I am sorry for the garbldy gook. I will think some more - then maybe we can continue this conversation.
BTW - I, too, am obsessed with death and dying. I really don't want to. I'm not afraid of what I'll find on the other side, it's just that this life is so wonderful, I don't want to leave it behind!