Dear IF readers,

October is the month in many areas of the world that celebrates the death of those who have passed on in our families.  In The United States, Ireland and other parts of the world, Halloween or All Saints Eve is celebrated.  In China, there is Teng Chieh. In Hong Kong, they celebrate Yue Lan or the Festival of the Hungry Ghosts.  In Japan it is the Obon Festival that is dedicated to the spirit of ancestors. In Latin countries, the day is called “El Dia del Muertes” or the Day of the Dead.    

Whatever the country or the specific celebration, there seems to be a global agreement that the dead of the family must not be forgotten.  In fact, many of the ceremonies during this time help the souls of the dead pass into a blessed afterlife in the many religions: Heaven, Nirvana, Sheol, and Tian et al.  That is why many features of the holiday include lanterns that light the way for the soul or some type of candle lit in front of the family photo of ancestors. 

I remember the day my Papa died.  He was my mother’s father.  I did not know him long but he was so kind and gentle, he made a lasting impression on me.  Papa understood me and would stick up for me when others misunderstood me.  So, I did not find it strange that the day he died, I knew before anyone told me.  I was at summer camp and I began to get sick and cry and suddenly I missed my Papa and wanted to call him.  About an hour later, the call came from my parents that were hundreds of miles away that Papa had died. 

Our writers here at IF magazine share the living and dying of their family members.  While we are alive together, we need to cherish every moment.  That is the lesson of the story that Gina tells us in her piece, “Lose a Child or Never Have One?”  Even if we must swallow our pride and make peace when we feel “right”.  Do not go to bed angry.  Even if you must say, “I love you very much but I don’t like you right now, let’s hope to start over in the morning.”  That would be a start at not having any regrets with our loved ones.

Grandma Ellen tells us of her wonderful brother and how she almost lost him to cancer in her story, “Cancer, A Cure and Celebration”.  The reader hangs on every word to wait to know if he has gone into remission because we too have grown to love this special brother as much as his own sister.  Many of us have special siblings as well and we relate to our Grandma Ellen’s story. 

Please don’t forget to read “Alma” by Elizabeth Griffin in Italy. It is a charming story of the traditions of dressing gravesites in the small town of Piccione.  Pia Harden tells us how her father’s death taught her how to love her daughters; how it taught her to forgive so that she could be fully human as a mother. Cheryl Paley writes a disturbing and true account of life as we know it as “Emoticons” in the cyberspace world of family life.  A must read!

Tina Lai with her ID designs has done a complete makeover for our International Family Magazine this month.  Brava, brava.  Our logo and page layout is her wonderful creation.  Tina has been with us awhile now with her fantastic creative mind and we are honored to have her on our team at IF mag.  Tina writes a great piece on the archictect David Lage as a part of her new inaugural column with us.  We will feature her column each month.