The air is thick and rich with the feeling of the dead being close at hand.
The ceremonial alters to honor, welcome and thank them for enriching our lives are clear and present.
Wisps of either brush against my skin - tickling their words against the edges of my hearing.
Death for so many is a fearful, frightening event that rips those they love away from their arms and hearts.
Oh please know that the specter of death isn't a fearful messenger of separation, gloom, grief and loss.
It's a companion to guide their spirit to the space between our breath and our heartbeats.
So still your mind.  Breath with focus of seeing that which stands just beyond the veil of our vision.
Hear through the Heart, the laughter from the shared past. 
Share new stories of the now with them.
Listen to their whispers - reminders of love.
Feel the brush of air as they blow kisses across your cheek, eyes and brow.
Relish the clasp of their hand in yours - then release it like you are blowing on the wings of a butterfly.  Freeing it to soar!