Feliz Día de los Muertos

Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, 4th of July... they all have a special meaning, because I've had ones that were a lot of fun.
Context and perspective change. No foul to these holidays. But more recently, I've found a great deal of solace and opportunity for reflection in the Latin-American tradition of the Day of the Dead.
What a magnificent yearly ritual — the opportunity to take a night to remember the people in your life who are responsible for your being here. The ones whose stories you've heard, and can share. The defining things.
Its not (for me, anyway) a day of superstition. Nor is it my cool, worldly way of hijacking another culture; I have always believed that there is a massive difference between appropriation and appreciation.
It's pure. There's comfort, in ritual. In this case, tacking pictures on the wall; laying out some offerings of snacks, drinks, a few smokes, some flowers and candles; lighting a fire. Thinking. The ritual... it's not for the dead. I have always tried to not foul someone for their own beliefs, provided that person is genuine and kind. But I am not a person of faith. Perhaps faith is a gift? If so, I have not received it. I extend my best sentiments to those who have with their own freedom of heart.
So, the ritual is for me.
As far as my own beliefs are concerned, the spirits aren't literally popping through for a moment to have a quick snack and say hello to Heather. These people, facets of my own story, are gone. The pictures on the wall are the way I choose to remember the people I've loved, or whom I've known to be worth loving, and who aren't here anymore.
But who is gone, while they're still remembered? It's a human kind of thing, Día de los Muertos. For me, anyway. Reflection, meditation, introspection. Respect, and remembrance.
I'm not prescribing. I'm just rambling, probably non-sensically. I've had the chance to spend some personal time contemplating the idea of family, and have taken a night to stare at some pictures on the wall, and things just have a way of fluttering in and out of your head, don't they.
It's kinda nice, letting that happen.