Every year on the 2nd of November, Estonians pay tribute to their ancestors and loved ones who have passed. It is a common practice to light candles and place them by the window in an attempt to draw the spirit home. Cemeteries are also aglow on this day. According to folklore, hingedepäev is said to be the day on which the veil between the world of the living and that of the dead is thin.
Sadly, I lost another family member this year, a distant relative who had settled in Canada. Aili was a spritely woman who lived to the ripe old age of 95. I learnt a lot from her over the years and no doubt she will be dearly missed by those who knew her.
During the past four years I have lost five people from my grandfather's generation and it's a really horrible notion knowing that most of his contemporaries have already left us. We should all love and appreciate those who remain while they are still here. They have so much life experience, knowledge and wisdom, and their stories are worth preserving for the generations to come.
