on life

all saints day isnt just about the family. its not entirely about remembering, and sometimes even getting to know, your lolo's and lola's who passed away, its not about seeing all your relatives again, its not just about spending time with your family and its not just about building the biggest mold of candle wax from melted candles.

sometimes its about parading in your most fashionable clothes.
sometimes its just about feeling the polluted air and squeezing into the crowded streets.
sometimes its a contest of the brightest nephew or son or daughter or cousin.
sometimes its even a dispute over the november 1 market of consumers.
sometimes its just plainly being with your friends spotting the most attractive girl.

it could be all this and more, but the one insight that came to me was an insight on time. As i was observing the classic filipino tradition of november one, i did not see the pinoy's side of remembering their ancestors, but rather where i was a few years back and how time moved on since then. the lolo's and the lola's that i am now visisting and remembering the lives of (some partly some even less) were alive back then and presently, it just made me think that decades from now, i would probably be here also, at the exact same place, 6 feet under.

(to be continued)