Posted by giveawayboy on October 16, 2002 at 22:50:58:
Up till now we have only have had hints of it, or tastes in the air,
here or there for brief moments. However, tonight is the first full-
fledged, Autumn night down here in Tampa (for me at least) and I'm
observing my annual first-night-of-Autumn rite. Each year on the
first crisp, cool say-farewell-to-summer night, I turn OFF the air-
conditioner, light candles, turn off all the lights and listen to my
favorite fall CD, THE GIFT OF TEARS by Revolutionary Army of the
Infant Jesus.
Now, it's just a matter of days until All Hallow's and then All
Saint's Day and All Soul's Day, Nov. 2nd, when I erect the altar for
my Grandmother's memory.
On it I will place objects that will remind others of my grandmother,
Ethel Barnes. I always place a crucifix on the altar and a picture of
my 'Nana' and along with it I usually place a few things that
reminded me and my family of her. Usually a wheat penny, since she
always gave us those when we were kids, a mini-bottle of Coke, which
she was famous for and a deck of playing cards. These are things that
always remind me of her. I must mention that our altars for our
departed loved ones are not the same as a sacrificial altar used in
worship. These All Soul's Day altars are special sacred spaces
created for contemplation, reflection and prayers. Just didn't want
anyone to think I was into ancestor worship.
Lovingly, Bill