At least once a year

Yesterday was All Saints’ Day, a holiday here in Italy. Traditionally on this day, people head to the cemetery to leave flowers on the graves of their loved ones who have passed on.

Many may do this only once a year, using the holiday to travel to their hometown. Some have many stops to make, the graves of their loved ones being scattered through different towns.

Even if it is the only time they can get there, one thing is for certain – they tend these graves with love.

By the end of the day almost every grave in the cemetery will be polished clean and will have at least one fresh bouquet of flowers and at least one new candle.

For years I rejected the idea of visiting cemeteries. I always said that I could remember those who were dear to me without visiting a stone in the ground – my loved ones aren’t there anyway. But, there’s something very comforting in tending to those graves. It allows us to hold on to that love we felt and makes us feel as if we are actually doing something for those who have passed on.

After yesterday’s visit to the cemetery with O, I felt like I was being lax by not visiting the cemeteries where my family members are buried. Of course, they’re very far away and it’s not possible for me to visit at this time, but the next time I head that way, I’ll take a little bit of time out of my day to pay my respects.

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