Heart and Souls

I saw Heart and Souls when I  was in high school. It is one of the movies I like that taught me about losing our loved ones. There was also this short story I read in college about All Saint's and All Soul's Day Celebration that touched me. I am not sure if it was Candle by Delfin Fresnosa but I can still very much remember the movie and the story especially when November 1 and 2 comes.

As always, Mom and I visited the Albay Public cemetery where our descendants were buried. I was never afraid to go to cemeteries. When Dad was alive, I would go with him in the morning and hold his umbrella as he light a candle to his mom and dad, my lola and lolo.

Mom, me and my brother would go back at night. The three of us would stay for a few hours and pray silently. I would also go around the cemetery with my aunts to collect candle drippings and  to look at beautifully laid graves.

Its only me and my mom now visiting our loved ones who passed on. We attended mass at the chapel in the cemetery.  The celebrant was the same priest who also officiated mass during the wake of my dad and my grand aunt. I cannot help but shed a few tears during the mass. I miss the days when the people you love or just knew were still alive. Time is not always a friend.

Here is a note I wrote to our dearly departed:

I stand in front of your name with candles and flowers.
I sit beside your grave with prayers and tears.
I stay with a lifetime of your memories.

Mom offering candles and flowers to Dad.