thoughts on candle lighting during november 1

In the store, whenever someone would buy a candle to light for their beloved who are now resting inside the cemetery, my dad would always tell them "you don't have to do that, they won't know it anyway."

this statement made me think about taking care of people.

its been a tradition to us filipinos to visit our beloved friends and family members who are now resting on cemeteries and we offer them prayers, flowers and lighted candles.

In the old tradition, family members will go there with the intentions to continuously pray for the souls of the dead. that god would forgive them of their sins and allow them to rest eternally in heaven.

but nowadays, its been more of a family reunion and a fun time. (i am not generalizing, im just saying what i observed) For about 13 years now, my parents has been running the store near the old cemetery. so every year, i get to witness the way people would celebrate all saints day. year after year, these are the things i observed:

• first of all, the people visiting their dead loved ones are getting less and less year after year. of course this is more of a visual approximation.
  
• there are less people selling candles and flowers nowadays (this may indicate less number of people going to cemeteries or its because candles and flowers are very expensive nowadays that people tend not to buy expensive flowers and candles.)
• the occasion has been one hell of a fashion show. people going to the cemeteries are wearing their best dress even if its muddy and raining!! (i wonder if there are data from the big mall like sm and robinsons that will support this claim, that people buy new clothes to wear for the all saints day event)
• more and more people are riding motorcyles lately.
• and lastly, as i observed, people are eating, chatting, playing, singing, some are even drinking alcoholic beverages BUT NOT PRAYING. hmmm...

last saturday, i heard a customer related to us the news that there was someone who fainted inside the cemetery apparently because she was crying and hysterical.

and he went on saying..

"when the person was still alive, she was not even there to watch and spend time with him. she was not even going home or providing anything to the family, even at the last hour, she failed to show up... now, what is the use of wailing and crying for him? she should have shown her love and affection to him when he was still alive.."


as i was thinking about it, i think that person had a point.. we should show our love and affection to the people that we care about while they are still alive... not when they are dead already.


there. done. moving on.