Monday 31 October 2016

All Saints Day or The Day to Celebrate the Dead


Today 31 October is All Saints DayChristian festival celebrated in honour of all the saints, known and unknown.

In Mexico, this day is also known as Día de Muertos or The Day of the Dead.  The veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest on this day, and traditionally Mexican people gather to celebate and honour the lives of their ancestors.

31 October is also the day my Dad, Isaac Benjamin Heinemann, was born with a caul wrapped around his head. Birth with a caul is rare, occurring in fewer than 1 in 80,000 births.

My Dad was indeed a rare and special soul: peacemaker, joker, rescuer, master builder, sportsman, hard working miner, underground fire-fighter (winning numerous bravery awards), helper, healer and a talented dowser.  He couldn't, however, hold a tune, even though he loved singing hymns! Throughout his life, even two days before his final devastating stroke, he would literally give away the shirt on his back to anyone in need, irrespective of race, gender or religion: an unusual trait for his generation of Afrikaaners, brought up in the conservative NG Kerk.

To honour his spirit and his life on this doubly special day, we'll be giving away 25 x R20 notes to random homeless people, with this note attached:
My Dad and I fooling around (ca 1963)

My poetry volume A LAMP AT MIDDAY was dedicated to my dad.
Many of the poems express my grief at the long, slow process of his dying.
 
Happy Birthday Dad - we love you!

2 comments:

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Judy - what a lovely post .. and yes Happy Birthday remembrances ... we do bring back those memorable dates. I'd never heard of a caul or what it stood for ... how very interesting.

I think your action for today ... will make so many happier - I hope they all go on to have better lives ... and to spread that butterfly effect ...

Wonderful - to see the video with those reminiscences ... my thoughts to you and all who remember your father and his family ... Hilary

Judy Croome | @judy_croome said...

HILARY: thanks so much for your comment I was away with my Mom in Ballito – first rest she’s had since her heart attack in February. Weather was great and we enjoyed giving away the birthday coupons to celebrate my late Dad’s birthday! Have a great week, and thanks again for always commenting – you are amazing in how you keep up with all your blog friends!!:)