We both awoke today humming the same tune we always do on November 1st:

“For all the saints, who from their labor rest, who thee by faith before the world confessed, thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest. Alleluia, Alleluia!” 

These words, penned by William How in 1864, and the tune from Ralph Vaughan Williams in 1906, reflect a poignant tradition of remembrance, honor, and gratefulness for those who blazed their life trails to create the storied legacies we inherit after their passing from this life.  Never were the words of this hymn so meaningful as the first All Saint’s Day following the loss of my mom.  She treasured the deep and abiding meaning of this hymn, singing “lustily and with a good courage” as John Wesley noted.  🙂

Even though I had a unique and often complicated relationship with Momma for over 50 years, she remained my first and most important teacher.  Among her numerous lessons in those final years as she faded into the overwhelming challenge of Alzheimer’s (the longest goodbye imaginable), she demonstrated how nothing is wasted in life.   Loss, pain, and grief enlarge our capacity for compassion and perseverance.

I’m grateful for today’s reminder of our saints, especially in this current season of life as we gingerly walk daddy through this same profound journey, one grateful day at a time.

Here’s your question today:  Who do you choose to gratefully acknowledge on this day of remembrance for the lessons and blessings bestowed on you?

St. M says we have to find a Slurpee to share today in keeping with Momma’s love of slushies, and Hymn #711.  🙂