All Saints' Day...

So yesterday was the Catholic holiday of All Saints' Day. Here in Poland this is a an important holiday with most businesses being closed to give family time to visit the graves of their departed loved ones. For weeks, we have seen many people parked outside of the local cemeteries as they carry in flowers and candle lanterns. We've had many friends tell us that we just needed to go visit a cemetery on this day so we could see how beautiful it truly looks.

And, that is just what we did.

We went right as the sun was setting and could not help but be caught up in the beauty and spirituality that was emanating from the local cemetery. Words cannot do justice to how we felt as we walked around and looked at all the candles and flowers. It was truly moving.

We purchased a few candle lanterns ourselves - that we placed on several of the graves that seemed to almost be forgotten.  Our children immediately said that we needed to return next year with more candles so that we could add them to other graves that were less decorated. After all, everyone should be remembered.

While I hesitated to take pictures while I was there, I did take three quickly and quietly with my phone. They do not even remotely begin to capture the beauty.

It was just gorgeous.

And while we have no family here, we all quietly said a prayer for our loved ones who have left us and felt a little closer to our family and friends who are far away.

Just as it should be...