Saturday, August 07, 2004
Party time in the cemetery
Visiting graveyards of our ancestors, known or unknown to us, may seem the survived generations’ duties. To me, it brings the connection for the livings, remembering and honoring those who touched our lives directly or indirectly. That’s how I feel about the funerals as well, they are meant for the livings, giving families and friends support and love that they need; and, in turn, it connects us back with people who we miss for years and we feel the warmth all over again.
Time of the year to pay visit to the cemeteries of our ancestors, relatives and friends is here. Our family and the Chus were planning and accommodating that today is the day, so all members, almost except one, can make it between two families. Of course, we are thankful for everyone’s effort.
In my mind, there are three purposes for this exercise: gathering families, cleaning the graveyards, and giving thanks for our ancestors, relatives and friends. In our culture, some people (in particularly my mother-in-law is one of them) think that the dead still has the worldly needs: like money and clothes so we bring along such gifts burnt for them; just for the peace of mind. We also bring along the feast to give thanks ceremony and to eat afterward, of course; we always find the warm spirit with food in the tummy. Remembering and honoring my father-in-law, we try to get his favorite noodle dishes if possible; this is the second time of our new tradition. It’s fun and everyone enjoys very much.
Visiting graveyards of our ancestors, known or unknown to us, may seem the survived generations’ duties. To me, it brings the connection for the livings, remembering and honoring those who touched our lives directly or indirectly. That’s how I feel about the funerals as well, they are meant for the livings, giving families and friends support and love that they need; and, in turn, it connects us back with people who we miss for years and we feel the warmth all over again.
Time of the year to pay visit to the cemeteries of our ancestors, relatives and friends is here. Our family and the Chus were planning and accommodating that today is the day, so all members, almost except one, can make it between two families. Of course, we are thankful for everyone’s effort.
In my mind, there are three purposes for this exercise: gathering families, cleaning the graveyards, and giving thanks for our ancestors, relatives and friends. In our culture, some people (in particularly my mother-in-law is one of them) think that the dead still has the worldly needs: like money and clothes so we bring along such gifts burnt for them; just for the peace of mind. We also bring along the feast to give thanks ceremony and to eat afterward, of course; we always find the warm spirit with food in the tummy. Remembering and honoring my father-in-law, we try to get his favorite noodle dishes if possible; this is the second time of our new tradition. It’s fun and everyone enjoys very much.
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