Monday, October 24, 2011

Flowers for All Saints' Day

As Catholics we observe All Saints' Day on November 1st of each year.  Part of that observance means that we clean the graves of loved ones and place fresh flowers on them.  On the Sunday before the observance, the priest and congregation go into the graveyard to pray and ask God to "Grant them eternal rest" by bringing them to heaven.  


 Because I live close to "the old home place, " I'm often asked to do these things.  This year is no exception.  So on Sunday Richard and I made a little shopping trip and found some very pretty fall flowers at Michael's.  I picked up enough to make three bouquets--one will go on Ma-ma and Pa-pa's grave, one on Uncle Dave's, and one on my mom's grave.  They all match, sort of, but are also a little different.


Mom's bouquet is not pictured because there is no vase here.  I'll take it with me and arrange the flowers in the granite vase that Daddy put on her grave some time ago.  It's engraved with a pretty little sewing basket, which is perfect for her since she loved to sew and quilt.


What do you think about these flowers?  Aren't they pretty?  I love the rich fall colors, and the green vases with little flecks of burgundy are perfect for these colors.   What's great is that the same vases will work when I put Christmas flowers in and, if they survive the winter, they're bright enough for spring flowers at Easter.  Does your family observe All Saints' Day or a day like it on which you honor those family members who have died?

2 comments:

jenclair said...

We aren't Catholic, but my daughter and her husband are. All Saints Day is a lovely tradition, but as far as visiting the cemetery, I imagine that many people in our current society don't live close enough to the old homeplace to take part.

Many of my relatives are buried in small cemeteries in the tiny towns of Ringgold and Castor. There is a lovely service in the spring, a kind of homecoming, and some people travel great distances to attend.

jenclair said...

I just added your link to Google Reader...AGAIN.

It took the link, but to a September post, not the most current. ????