We talk to the dead, respect them, read their last words. Not too long ago, people often left messages behind for the living on their tombstones, and it is a beautiful and sacred ritual to read them, and talk to them, and listen to them. Maria moves from tombstone to tombstone, she is skilled at reading these inscriptions and she reads them aloud to me.

Of all things, we are grateful on Thanksgiving to be alive, to be together. As we can listen to the animals, we can listen to the dead, if we open our eyes and hearts.