I was thankful yesterday when my children asked me about Halloween: why we had it and where it came from. It gave me the opportunity to share with them the background of the holiday that made it (hopefully) a bit more meaningful than dressing up and collecting candy (although that’s pretty darn fun when you are five and seven!)

Today is All Saints’ Day, followed by All Souls’ Day tomorrow, and I enjoyed talking to my children about honoring those we love who have gone before us. One of my sons asked, “Who are my ancestors?” And I enjoyed sharing with them some of my memories of my grandparents, their families and their stories.

When we are young we tend to live in the moment. As we grow older we learn to appreciate our past, our family’s history and how it connects to our lives today. Sharing these stories with my children was a wonderful way to remember those I love, who are still with me today in spirit.