Halloween celebrations have covered the religious meanings of the first two days in November. The secular festivities always trump the original meaning of events. Just as Christmas and Mardi Gras have succumb to partying so it is today that not one school boy in ten thousand knows what the Eve of Hallows is all about. (At Right: The AIDS Quilt on the USA National Mall. It now has over 45,000 panels representing lost gay people.)

For the record, Christian saints were honored on November 1st, and the old word for saints was hallows, from which we get Hallow's Eve or Halloween.

The second day of November was a day of remembering all dead who were not saints, and it was called All Soul's Day.

I am not suggesting that we turn back to observing the original and true religious practices in our times. That ship seems to have sailed a long time ago.

However, remembering those people (relatives, friends, and heroes) who have gone on before is not a bad idea for November 2nd. If only for one day a year, we should paused and remember those people whom we have loved and those whose works have enriched our lives.

The AIDS Quilt used to do this for gay people. What a touching memorial that was to tens of thousands of our gay family who died prematurely. It made us all stop and think of life, death, and meaning.

On Monday do remember all souls, and send positive thoughts for them to that place towards which we all journey.