OUR CANDLES AND FLOWERS

 





“At the heart of all anger, all grudges

and all resentment, you’ll always find a fear

that hopes to stay anonymous.”

Donald L. Hicks


 

There is sense in singing glory to a person when he or she is dead and gone. It makes sense only if we say,  “I love you,”… “Thank you”…  “I am sorry”… etc., when the person is alive and around us.

Yesterday, all over the world, Christians observed what is traditionally known as ‘All Souls’ Day’. On this day, we remember our dear and near ones who are no more… We go near their graves and pray… We light candles, place fresh flowers, get overwhelmed and cry…

Frankly, this is a powerful experience. If observed meaningfully, it can leave us a lot healed.

But, I said, “If observed meaningfully”!

When our near and dear ones are alive and around us, we tend to think, that we all are going to be alive and around for a long, long time, if not ‘forever’. So, the thought, that ‘Life is short’, that we should express our love and affection, gratitude, and, above all, forgive and seek forgiveness, when we are alive… yes, this thought simply doesn’t cross our mind…

Then, our near and dear ones go… Yes, our love and affection, gratitude and forgiveness remain unexpressed… Invariably, this is how most of us go about our lives.

So, on an ‘All Souls’ Day’, what do we pray… what do we say… standing near the graves of our near and dear ones?

As I said, there is no sense in crying when the person is no more. It makes sense only if we cry when the person is alive and around us. Nevertheless, if crying and praying before the grave can make us better humans… leave us a lot humbled and healed, it’s definitely a meaningful thing to do…







Else, the fate of our thoughts and prayers will be just like that of those candles we light and flowers we place on the graves… Short-lived.

 

GERALD D’CUNHA

 

Pic.: pixabay

 

Video:  Neil Diamond/ Hit Crew Masters - Topic

 

 

 

 

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