An All Saints Traditon

There is nothing in the world like pulling up to the cemetery in the dark of the night and seeing hundreds of glimmering lights. There is something so serene and beautiful about those flickering  lights.

Many cultures celebrate All Saints on November 1st and All Souls on November 2nd by cleaning and adorning the graves with beautiful flowers, and when the darkness falls, lighting multiple candles around the headstones of loved ones.

Here in South Mississippi we still carry on this tradition. Last night I went to Wolf River Cemetery to light the candles on my father in laws grave. There is such beauty in the lights. There is nothing creepy about the cemetery on this night. It is transformed into a beautiful tribute to those who have gone before us.

There are hushed voices and people everywhere. They are all out lighting their candles, showing their love and remembrance in this small but beautiful way. People stop and greet one another, talk about the old times when so and so was still alive.

Slowly the people melt away into the night, and all that is left is the quiet and all those lights in the darkness.