Remembering
The 24th of this month, which is Christmas Eve, marks 25 years of my dad's passing. We always have a prayer mass for him at this time, officially in Michigan, and no matter where my mom is, she would flight home.
It is my mom's tradition, belief, and custom in her old fashion way. It is a beautiful and meaningful event, but also has taken out of context to the point of demanding for those that still live in Michigan.
In my honest opinion, after this year we should be rid of this ritual, not that I will forget about my dad, but that I should be able to attend my own church just once for Christmas Eve celebration. I have been a member of my parish for over 10 years, but never did have a chance to be there for Christmas celebration, because we always have to be with my mom at her Vietnamese church.
I will stop my rambling now, and take a moment to remember those who have died in the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary. My heart and prayer go to the families who are experiencing the biggest loss of their lives now.
My questions are:
1) How do you or your family practice remembrance of beloved souls?
2) Why is it that shooting seemed to take place at school?
Join me at Thursday Two Questions!
Icy, this is so tragic. Hopefully from the rubble of this tragedy will come some reform; for those who need treated for mental illness and for the ban of assault weapons.
ReplyDeleteI wish that I had something to say or something to all to what has already been said but I don't. It was a sad and tragic event and I pray it will never happen again.
ReplyDeleteVery sad this Christmas. My dad passed away 19 years ago but it was in the summer.
ReplyDeleteWe in India have different rites and rituals which we perform regularly to remember our family members who are no more.
ReplyDeleteThe shooting incident is just tragic, very painful.
We in India have different rites and rituals which we perform regularly to remember our family members who are no more.
ReplyDeleteThe shooting incident is just tragic, very painful.
My Loved Ones who have passed on are remembered by me in a very quiet way. Out of my side of the family there is only me now and they are never far from my thoughts. I don't know the answer to your second question, it's just so sad.
ReplyDeleteMy family who has left me behind...I remember them almost daily in my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteAs for 'why shootings in schools'? ---I think it's because it's such a vulnerable place.
Greetings!!!
Just popping in this morning to send along my wishes to you and yours...that you have a very happy holiday season.
Will see you again in 2013, when I return to blogging after my hiatus, enjoying the company of my sister from Colorado. I haven't seen her in nearly 10 years. This will be a treat.
Happy Holidays...love Anni
Yes nothing special about our deceased loved ones except to visit their graves and maybe put flowers there, talk about them, remember them when doing things they liked to do--photos--their old books or other things they enjoyed using now passed down to us. Nothing special but always special, if that makes sense.
ReplyDelete1) I remember him in my thoughts and what I do. When I take my children to school. I understand now why he felt he had to do it, and to watch me walk into the building. Probably very much the same way I feel now about my kids. I remember him in the moments familiar to my life.
ReplyDelete2) It does seem that way doesn't it. It doesn't happen much in a church as it does at a school. Not that either is good, but why children?
It's been 29 years on the 27 since my dad's passing. For the first few years it made for a very sad Christmas. Like you I will never forget my dad but we don't mark the occasion in any way now.
ReplyDeleteThe Sandy Hook shooting was a tragic event. I wish we knew why things like this happen so maybe they could be prevented in the future.
I'm sorry about your dad. I know it wont always hurt and you'll have the memories of him with you.
ReplyDeleteI agree that your mom's tradition for remembrance is a bit hard because families have to tend to themselves too and also have their own tradition. There is nothing you can to ever forget your father and she should understand this.
I haven't been impacted in that way, so I don't have a tradition for it. I pray not.
2. I don't know. People are just overcome by their anger and seek to hurt as many as they can. A form of evil.
We must always teach our children how to handle emotions because if they cannot, then it will be disastrous for many.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
I think you made a valid point on controlling our emotions. As a matter of fact, I wish the schools teaches anger management. It could make significant changes in how the kids become an adult.
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