The Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos, Día de los Difuntos or Día de Muertos in Spanish) is an ancient Aztec celebration in memory of deceased ancestors, celebrated on November 1 (All Saints' Day) and November 2 (All Souls' Day).
It is my understanding that the belief is held that the veil between the living and the dead is thinnest on these days and that communication between the spirits is possible. My father passed away last Sunday, October 29th. So this is my attempt to share with him my greatest success at the time of my most greatest sorrow.
In the last two weeks of my father's life, I received and delivered an order for 15 furry hats for a children's boutique in Japan called Shop 2u+2u=4u. I mentioned this to him at the hospital and he seemed very happy and encouraged me to continue with what makes me happy in life. He went on to tell me about his personal career success and the message he said over and over is "one thing leads to another".
The weekend that he passed, Hiromi, the proprietor of Shop 2u+2u=4u sent me the link to featuring my hats. I intended to share it with him to make him proud, but it was too late.
During this time, it was enormously difficult for me to do anything, but when I received Hiromi's e-mail, I knew it was important to respond if only for the sake of the courtesy of a business transaction. But I also wanted to reach out to her because she supported my art at a time that would have made my father very happy, and like I said, he wanted me to continue doing things that made me happy.
Below is the response I received from Hiromi. Though I have never met her in person, I feel a bond to her that goes beyond business and beyond cultures to simple kindness and humanity. Also, here are the relevant links:
http://enjoy2u2u4u.ocnk.net/
http://enjoy2u2u4u.ocnk.net/product-list/69
http://enjoy2u2u4u.ocnk.net/product/604
Thank you, Hiromi.
I love you, Dad.
> ------ Forwarded Message
>
> Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2006 16:03:15 +0900
> To:
> Subject: He is pround of you. You are great daughter.
>
> Thank you for mailng me..
> I'm so sorry to hear about your father. Too sad..and too early.
>
> I know you do your best..He is so proud of you.
> He may love your smily face. So don't cry so much.
>
> I know he always love you and your family everytime.
> He is your father,That won't change even he died.
> I'm very thank you give me a nice business with you and small help .
>
> I told my baby for your father thismorning,She is too young to understand die.
> But she joined her hands and play for him(kind of Japanese style)
> I also did it.
>
> Please put him some flowers instead of me.
>
> See you soon.
>
> Hiromi
>
>
> ****************************
> Shop 2u+2u=4u
> 菅野裕美/Hiromi Kanno
>
> 〒960-0111
> 福島市丸子漆方3-7-201
> TEL 090-6854-7538
> http://enjoy2u2u4u.ocnk.net
>
> *****************************
