November 2: A Run, Classic Saint Marty, New Cartoon

I went for a run this afternoon, testing to see what kind of shape I'm going to be in for Thanksgiving morning's Turkey Trot.  I went two miles, and it nearly killed me.  Losing those three months of summer training really messed things up.  The injury has pretty much mended.  However, my body doesn't really like running at the moment.  Now, the question is whether I register for the two mile Turkey Trot or the 10K.

There's still snow on the ground, but the temperature has climbed into the 40-degree range.  There's slush and puddles.  A few patches of ice.  Some piles of white stuff.  By Wednesday, I'm sure we'll be back to typical November weather.  Cold.  Crisp.  Gray with occasional bursts of sunlight.  And, every once in a while, rain mixed with thicker, whiter rain. 

Today is All Souls' Day.  The Day of the Dead in Mexico.  A time to celebrate loved ones who are no longer with us.  I've been thinking a lot about my brother who passed away in May.  This time of year was his favorite.  He loved the Thanksgiving holidays.  Turkey.  Pumpkin pie with Cool Whip.  I'm not particularly sad.  It's more complicated than that.  It feels like he's on a long trip and soon he'll phone me with one of his terrible jokes.

The episode of Classic Saint Marty is from an All Souls' Day three years ago.  Not surprisingly, it's about loss and life, as well.



November 2, 2011:  Day of the Dead, All Souls' Day

Today is the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) in Mexico and other Latin American countries.  On the Christian calendar, it's All Souls' Day.  In Mexico, people dress up as skeletons, eat skulls made out of sugar, hold skeleton parades, and visit cemeteries to leave goodies (candy, tequila, whatever) at the graves of the dearly departed.  All Souls' Day isn't quite as much fun.  No costumes.  No All Souls' Day chocolate souls.  No parades.  Just a church service where the people who died during the year are named, remembered, and prayed for.

Granted, the Day of the Dead sounds a little more colorful because of its pagan roots.  However, both versions of this day honor the memories of people who have gone to their eternal reward (or otherwise, if you get my meaning).  I find a day dedicated to honoring the dead very sacred, even if you are dancing around in a Jack Skellington costume.

Get me to a cemetery!

This past year, I've lost a few people from my life.  Most closely, I recently lost an aunt and an uncle.  However, throughout the year, many members of my church family have also passed.  And, at the university, I had two of my students die unexpectedly during the course of two semesters.  As I sit here, typing this post, I'm thinking about these individuals, calling up their faces in my mind, recalling the last time I saw or spoke with them, and saying a prayer for each.  I pray that they have found happiness and peace.  I pray that they left this world with no regrets.  I pray that God gave them a room with a view of the swimming pool.

Perhaps I'll have a drink to honor them tonight, as well.  I'm not a big fan of tequila, but a little spiked hot chocolate will do in a pinch.  Then I'll dig into my kids' Halloween candy and try to find something that approximates a sugar skull.  A Gummi eyeball?  A white jawbreaker?  I could carve a giant Tootsie Roll into the shape of a bone, I think.

All kidding aside, however or whatever you celebrate, the Day of the Dead or All Souls' Day, today you should remember what a gift life is.  Every morning you are able to get out of bed, brush your teeth, hug your significant other, and embarrass your children is a huge gift.  That's the great lesson of this holiday.  In the burial rite in the Book of Common Prayer, there is a line that reads, "In the midst of life, we are in death."

On this day that celebrates the dead, Saint Marty reaches out and gives thanks for the living.

I prefer my skulls to be almond-flavored

Confessions of Saint Marty