All Saint's Day

Hallow's eve was saying goodbye to summer.  All Saint's Day is about remembering those who have gone before us as the year enters the quiet period of reflection.  This is the time of the year to gather family close and tell stories about the past.  The way holiday traditions are celebrated in our modern age often seems to leave out this important tradition.  Without celebrating the past, we cannot connect with our future.  Up until this last century this season became the time when elders passed family knowledge to the youngsters in the families.  Many winter evenings were spent telling stories around the fireplace and singing songs.  Unfortunately it seems this country has forgotten this part of it's past because we stopped placing as much importance on these traditions.  Instead we seem to focus on giving gifts, which are not entirely off the mark, since passing on tradition is a gift in itself.  In many cases it seems as though the gifts that are given don't necessarily have as much meaning as spending time with family and learning from our past.  This month marks a time of showing gratitude for our lives by celebrating those that we share our lives with, past and present.  One of the best ways to express gratitude is merely by sharing your time with those you care about.  I have found on many occasions in my own life that I enjoy experiences far more than objects because those create the memories that become the stories that make up this life.  Each life tells a different story......what story about your life do you want to share?