A friend happens to live near one and it seemed the appropriate thing to do today. It’s Halloween. As close as Americans get to thinking about death or making death ok. We play with it, dress it up, make it outlandish, ghoulish, scary and fun. One way to face it.

Tomorrow is All Saints’ Day. Christians from many traditions will remember and pray for the saints who have passed. Sunday is All Souls’ Day - you don’t have to be a saint to be remembered on this day.

Tomorrow is also the Day of the Dead, a big day in Mexico and other Latino countries. Families take a picnic to the cemetery and have a party and talk about and commune with their loved ones who have passed.

I only grew up with Halloween. Of course I liked it - I got to eat lots of candy and dress up as something crazy. I never went in for the ghouls and ghosts - I preferred characters on the fringe of society, like hippies or bag ladies or what we called hobos, or even Mary Poppins:)

I still like Halloween. I’m gonna walk in the cemetery and think about those who are buried there and all the families that have come to mourn and be close to their dead. I’m gonna think about my folks who came before, who they were, how they lived, what they left, why we die and what happens next. I’m inviting the mystery, I’m looking for insight. I’m also being thankful, praying while I walk, asking for blessing, maybe some guidance. I’m really looking forward to it.

Happy Halloween!