Soul Searching With Milo

These "spirit walkers" collect the letters from the living and offer them to the spirts via buring them in a large urn(behind_.

A busy weekend full of fascinating subjects to film and capture on camera ended with a huge Tucson event known as the All Souls Procession.  It is a day I celebrate every year to remember my loved ones that have left this world.  And while it's a happy occasion, it's also a reflective one as well.

This year there were so many dedications made to people and their pets.  While reading everyone's blogs one day, I had an emotional reaction to one in particular.  Blogging is truly wonderful, but sometimes, we all go through things that are difficult.  Not only do I become connected to each of you better through your lives and experiences; but I also fall in love with all your furry friends.

There are so many of you that include your cats, dogs, horses, pigs, goats, birds, etc that make me smile everytime I see them. Such was the case with Milo.  When Laura from ForestWalkArt's Forest Dreams posted that Milo was dying, I burst into tears.  Thankfully, I was alone in a dark room with no one around to see me express emotion:)  I'm not one to express those deeper emotions publicly.

Milo was a kitty full of spirit and energy.  She stared into the eyes of snakes and other dangerous creatures.  And everytime she made an appearance on Laura's blog, I would smile as I do when you all feature your pets.  I've even fallen for a big ol' pup known as Baron.  Of course there's Hank, Pie and oh so many more.

So when Milo was dying, I felt a big punch to my ever expanding gut.  After Milo passed, Laura sent me a feather and mouse toy that Milo played with while alive. At the parade, wrapped in a special paper, the items were then placed into an urn.

And while we searched for those urns, there were many strange surprises that walked between us, around us, next to us......

People wrote poems and letters to their loved ones that were later burned and offered to the sky spirits.  On this evening 50,000 people showed up together to acknowledge and celebrate life and death as one.

I love when people express themselves artistically as it makes them more interesting to capture on film. In fact this month we are going to celebrate Thanksgiving weekend at a Cirque De Soleil  presentation.  One of my favorite kinds of shows.

The lady below stole my heart with her rendition of the Phoenix.  You should have seen her dance to drums. It was an incredible presentation of feather, dance, and art!

Throughout the parade, people sang, danced, and played lots of instruments.

Here several of the ladies from one of our local high schools posed for a shot.  They did a fantastic job making "el baile folklórico" come alive.

Oh and there were all kinds of crazies about.  With this kind of event, you are most certain to find them hiding everywhere:) Well not hiding:)

Take for example this Circle K.  We always knew this place would kill us eventually.  But seeing all the zombies and skeletons made me burst out laughing.  Once on a birding trek, I bought a sandwich here and got Salmonella poisoning really bad.  "Thankfully" it happened at home and not on the trails.

But back to Milo.  Like the Phoenix suggests, we are born.  We die.  And we rise from the ashes again anew.

And while Milo is remembered and not forgotten, a new member has since been added to Laura's household by the name of Emo:)  Very cute.  When I lost both my cats 7 years ago, it took me time to recover from the loss.  But I found it too difficult.  So both Pat and I rescued FIVE cats soon after! And it's awesome.  We still remember our other two.  How can you forget?  That's the price of getting older. So Laura, I hope Emo is keeping you busy and bringing everyone lots of happiness.

And as for you Milo, I hope you enjoy the spirit items sent by those who love you very much:)