On 11/10/2012 2:00 PM, Gary wrote:
> Mike Rutland wrote:
>>
>> In our family, we celebrate Samhain on the 31st October. We do this by
>> lighting a candle in the window for each of our loved ones that have
>> passed, and sitting down to a meal that our most recently passed family
>> member loved. We set them a place at the table as a mark of respect.
>>
>> We dont eat more than normal, we dont drink more than normal, but take
>> the time to remember and reflect upon that person and how they lived.
>
> That's so nice.
> I read once that "no one truly dies as long as they are remembered."
> I like and believe that.
>
> I had a friend and coworker that died about 27 years ago. I often remember
> his sayings and advice.
>
> Gary
>
> PS - isn't it a Japanese tradition to put candles on little paper boats and
> let them float down a river to honor their dead relatives? Something like
> that.
>

I don't know about Japan but they do that in Thailand and other SE Asian
countries, usually in November. It's a holiday and tradition called
"Loy Krathong". They make little floats from the trunk and leaves of
the banana tree. They add candles, incense (joss sticks), fresh
flowers. They sometimes put little trinkets or even coins in the
"boats" to honor their ancestors and pray for prosperity. Then they
float them down the river. It's a spectacle unlike no other, and a fond
memory from when I was a child.

Jill