My older son and I soloed it to Sunday evening mass….I forgot it was All Souls Day.  I have been going to mass for 14 or so years.  For some reason, I did not recall the ritual of this service.  Maybe they changed it up since the last time I went.  Anyone who lost a loved one in the last year was given a rose to bring up to the alter.  They were greeted by the priest with a warm hug or a loving pat on the back.  Many loved ones were teary eyed.  It made me think of the loss of my grandmother a little over a year ago. (I really do miss her.  There is so many things I wish I could ask her.)  Then the choir chanted all the love one’s names in a prayer.  I remember when I was converting to Catholicism, it was mentioned in passing how when you sing a prayer, it’s like saying it twice. So, it made me happy knowing that all those recently lost loved ones were getting 2 amazing prayers!  I couldn’t help but really think and almost feel that their souls were dancing around the church.  I felt it was a wonderful way to remember the ones we lost.  What a wonderful way to celebrate their life after their passing.

Robb Bell often talks about how the word spirit and breath are often translated into the same word in many languages. More and more this resonates with me.  As long as we have breath, spirit is in us!  When the congregation’s response from the priest saying “the Lord be with you ” was changed from “and also with you”  to “and with your spirit”, it resonated me.  As I become more “awake”,  I recognize the spirit in all living things.  I know there is controversy around it, but I can even feel the spirit in my dog and the birds around me.  I love me some hawk energy!  🙂

I was reading a story the other day about an amazing thing that some friends did to surprise their friend on her birthday.  It required some divine intervention, but it happened for her.  The story made me so happy for the recipient.  I almost felt the group of friends had done it for me.  I genuinely felt her happiness and cried.  I put down my book and immediately went into a short prayer of gratitude.  All I could think to say was “thank you!”  Moments like this is what I think all the gurus talk about when they address the light in me being the light in you.  Realizing we are all really one in spirit, but separate vessels sure does make life a more joyful place.