Thin Places

"This is gonna be amazing!" This was the reaction of our three-year-old grandson on Halloween day when Ruth, aka Granny, explained what would happen when we went out that evening. Both lads caught on to the drill right away, exclaiming "trick or treat" and offering a thank you after they scored the loot at each door. Of course the fierce little lion had been out in previous years but didn't have any recollection of what must have been a shorter foray. He was game to go all night but older heads prevailed. It was lots of fun for us and really had nothing to do with the Christian festival of All Hallows Eve.

Yesterday morning, which was All Saints Day, I drove to Napanee to visit my aged mother who is in the waning days of her life. We received a phone call on Thanksgiving weekend suggesting that the end might be near. Mom had gently refused to eat for a number of days and was no longer willing to get out of bed. Weeks later, with no food, she becomes less and less responsive, although she did open her eyes to see photos of her three great-grands in costume.


Margaret Mundy Wedding Day 1950

All Hallows/All Saints/All Souls is the Christianized version of Samhain, the Druidic "thin place" celebration. Supposedly the veil between this world and the next is gossamer thin in these days. Masks and scary vegetable faces would ward off those spirits which were intent on harm. For Christians it is a time to remember and honour those who have already made the journey into the next life.

For our grandkids the Halloween ritual is a fun time filled with expectation and a sugar high. For my mother, it is a barely acknowledged moment on the cusp of her resurrection promise. Her Christian faith sustained her and prayer is still met with the squeeze of a hand. On my way home I heard this Laura Smith song Safe Home, Sweet Light on the radio and the words seemed so appropriate for the day and our hope for our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother.

Safe home, sweet light, no longer of this worldOn wings, safe and sound are you carried
No longer casting shadows, no longer counting days
You are love and you are loved always.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rj6sHY_mfXQ