“Halloween” just slides off the tongue. When you read the word or hear it, you think kids, silly costumes, pumpkins and candy. Or, if you have my addiction, you think, “candy, candy, candy, candy, candy…!”
The word Halloween, though, is a shortened form of “All Hallows’ Eve”. That is, the evening before All Hallows’ Day…or, in different words, All Saints’ Day, All Saintstide…and All Souls Day.
“The Day of the Dead” is associated with this last name.
It is a huge multi-day public holiday in Mexico, with parades and feasts and all sorts of fun. For people of Mexican heritage anywhere else in the world, it’s a bit like me celebrating the Australian Football League Grand Final in Edmonton (the West Coast Eagles won, this year, BTW).
But the Day of the Dead is far prettier and mystical. The costumes and decor are wonderful.
The actual point of the day is to commemorate and remember those who have passed on. In Mexico, families visit the graves of their kin.
Perhaps today, you could pause for a moment and remember those you haven’t thought of for a while, and wish them well.
Then eat lots of candy.
Cheers,
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