Life and Death: A Celebration

When a child is brought into this world, parents rejoice. They cuddle, hold, murmur sweet words, hum or sing a song. Grandparents go into that stage of their own, a second "grandparenthood" and coo and make weird noises to see their grandchild giggle.

It's a celebration.

Why should death be any different? Those who were friends, those we loved and were in love with. When they left us, they left a mark on us to remember. Not to mourn deeply, though we do.

The Greeks as far back as I can remember, celebrate the passing with a party with food and music. They dance, they sing. They tell stories of the one who has gone to that "better place".

In Mexico the "Day of the Dead", the celebration is alive with music, dancing, and decadent food and drinks. Since family members welcome their deceased loved ones as guests, families prepare their loved ones' favorite foods for the reunion.

In Ghana, Africa. they have what they call "fantasy coffins". These are shaped into whatever profession they did before death. Such as an airplane for a deceased pilot or a truck for a truck driver. Coffins are made in various shapes and just not because of their work. For instance, one that is oval resembles wisdom, or a lion, fearless and brave. They also have music and dancing and even the pallbearers will dance while carrying the coffin.

These are just a few that celebrate the passing of someone in their life.

It's important to understand from an early age, we will not live forever but it doesn't mean we can't continue to live within others who remember their life and what they did and what they stood for.

It's a celebration.

The image quote is by Sadhguru. He is the founder of the Isha Foundation in India.