All Saints’ Day is four days away. It’s a religious holiday where our dearly departed are remembered; their tombs or crypts are cleaned and visited by family and friends; where we all pay our respect by offering flowers, candles and prayers.
I remember my Dad coming home with boxes of fresh imported orchids and my Nanay buying the biggest candles, every year. We drive for four (or more) long hours to bring these flowers and candles to Inang’s grave, located at the barrio’s local cemetery. Our ‘offerings’ are placed on top of two huge white sepulchers (which are in the midst of numerous small tombstones). Hmmm… I always had negative feelings or thoughts about this yearly ‘practice’. I would much rather pray in church than show off those ‘offerings’. When my sisters and I became older, we found excuses not to go to the province. Dad somehow had a ‘change of heart’ and would just send the flowers and candles through aunts or cousins who were going home to Inang.
Flowers are for the living… for those who can see and appreciate these beautiful flowers; for those who can smell the delicate fragrance of these beautiful blooms; and for those who can touch the soft fragile petals of these blossoms.
When Dad died a few years ago, I wasn’t able to go to him. I failed to bring him flowers and light candles for him. Instead, I made several flower paintings and placed these in his bedroom, beside his solo picture. I have placed my parents’ last beautiful picture together on top of the bookcase, where some of my flower paintings are displayed.
I don’t buy fresh flowers… I make flower paintings and offer them to my Dad, my Nanay and my little angel, Marie Angelica. I’ll try to light a candle for all of you. Oh… I also offered some masses celebrated by young Jesuits and novices.
Love and prayers… betsisanders
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