Remembering

The day looked beautiful outside. The leaves were changing color to welcome autumn which would lead to winter and everything would fall into the winter sleep. Most people preferred the days in the sun like spring and summer. For Angela, it was all beautiful. She told anyone who would listen that there was beauty in death. Most thought it crazy, but to those that truly listened knew what she meant by it.

Today was an especial day. Angela peeked out the kitchen window and smiled at the sight. Sam was sitting on the blanket that covered the ground and holding onto the twins since they learned to stand. Jess was running with her brother Dean in some game and they would run up to the twins to include them. Sam was smiling and laughing and it made Angela smile. It was rare to see him so relaxed and she could sense why.

She turned back to what she was doing. Today was different from others. In the past, she used to pretend that the day wasn't important and sometimes she outright cursed it because of the tragedies that happened on that day. She liked to say that her mind was changed by two stubborn men. She grew not to dread the day so much and in her travels she adopted beliefs that made her grief more bearable each passing year.

Turning her attention to the stove, she finished flipping the patties for the bacon cheeseburgers. The smell of sugar was in the air, coming from the oven as her pies were baking. The stone and kitchen island had food for dinner that was more in line with tradition. Finishing the cheeseburgers, she plated them and picked them up along with a few other things and thought about the first time she did this.

It was in Rufus' old cabin and they were all hiding from the newest threat to their lives. It was a moment of respite then. Angela had learned to take such moments as they came and to treasure them. Walking out the back door, she walked to a grotto that had been especially built. Marigold petals had been laid like a carpet. They led to the grotto that was protected.

Angela was Italian by birth, but she had adopted the customs because it resonated the importance of family and the truth that death is not a bad thing. It made one sad and angry, something she knew very well, but you didn't have to stay in mourning. It made you appreciate life. The ironic part of it was that the neighbors thought she was from another culture entirely. It amused her since she had experience in many different cultures. They were the source of bedtime stories.

Thinking about those stories brought back memories as she placed the platter of bacon cheeseburgers on the table. She stepped back to look at the altar. Her eyes roved to the pictures placed in a specific order.

She had always been asked why she was obsessed with pictures and photography. Most of the time she claimed it was a hobby. The truth was she saw it as a means of capturing moments in time to supplement memories. They could help someone remember. They were also reminders of the times she wanted and needed to be remembered. The advent of photography made that possible. She chuckled at a memory of some old photos that produced laughs.

Looking up, she looked at a picture of a happily married couple, a family portrait, and some individual pictures. The one that held the place of honor she gently touched and smiled sadly. She cheated again at a memory as she glanced at her wrist.

"I'm pretty sure that chuckle is about the first one."

Angela turned to see Sam there holding his youngest daughter Ellen Jo. Jess was holding John Robert and he stared with wide eyes at the altar behind her. She smiled as she replied, "One that I won't forget." She held up her wrist. "It's still one of my favorite gifts."

"Why Mama?" Dean looked up at his mother.

Angela smiled and looked down at her son while Sam and Jess went to settle the twins. She smiled and replied, "Well, this watch is the only watch I have worn since I first met your father and his brother."

"Unca Dean?"

Angela nodded. "Before I met them, I never celebrated my birthday. I was always too sad to."

"Daddy and Unca Dean made it better?"

"They did. Your uncle found this watch and made it special for me." She showed him the anti - possession markings. "Your uncle gave me a lot of birthday presents over the years, but this will always be my favorite."

Dean looked at the watch and then his uncle's picture. He looked at his mother, "Because it helps keep his memory safe."

Angela marveled at the insight her son possessed. She nodded, "Yes and you are very smart." She kissed his head. She turned and kneeled beside him. She gestured at the altar. "This is an ofrenda. The pictures there are not just pictures but our family."

She pointed out the pictures starting from the picture of John and Mary. She told him about Bobby and Rufus and the Harvelles. "Not all of us are related but we are family and it is important to remember them. They can shape us to who we want to be. Even if we never meet them, they live on by the people that knew them."

Dean looked at the altar. He looked at the pictures. They were people he never met but it felt like he knew them from the stories. He then smiled as he had a thought, "You like this day because you remember being happy with them. It's your birthday and your remembering day."

Angela chuckled and hugged the boy. "And that is something your Uncle Dean would come up with. And he would be right. Just like you."

Swooping, she picked up Dean to make him laugh. They looked at the altar. She looked at him with a smile that was mischievous. She asked, "You want to know a secret?"

Dean giggled and hugged his mother around her neck, "Yes."

Angela chuckled and whispered, "Well, on this night only, if you have an oftenda like ours it is said that the people in photos will come and visit. The marigolds light the way for them."

"Maybe our family will come."

"Maybe," Angela smiled. "Come on. Let's go in for dinner."

They went into the house to eat dinner. It was very lively as Jess and Dean told and re-told the stories they knew. It was a complete surprise when they brought out a lumpy package and presented it to her with big smiles.

Angela smiled as she looked out at the back yard. She was wearing the crimson colored coat that had been embroidered with golden brown thread. The curlicues were a memory of a status she held as a warrior and the pocket was the symbol that most from her old world would recognize. She couldn't forget even if she wanted to.

"Kids are growing."

Angela smirked at the familiar voice. She replied, "You should know. You get to see them once a year. Along with everyone else that matters." She turned to look at her companion. She crossed her arms over her chest, "Still think it crazy, Dean?"

Dean shook his head. He looked at her, "I'm not mad since I know it's not a deal."

"Finally see the light? That it's a tradition?"

"You know I did." Dean looked out at the yard and the marigolds. "Just... never thought I'd get to see you guys again. See Jess, little Zep... Ellie and JR..." He looked at her. "Thanks."

"It wasn't just me. It was Sam and the children. The stories we tell of you, Bobby, Rufus, John and Mary... That is the power of memory." Angela paused and sighed, "And I know about memory. I have a long one."

"Tell me about it." Dean looked at her. "Still it sucks you're the only one that can see us."

They looked to see the others from the pictures they were milling around. John and Mary were visiting their grandchildren. Angela smiled at Bobby and Rufus with the Harvelles. She nodded, "We know why. I've been able to see the dead since when I first died."

"Still..." Dean shrugged his shoulders. "Just a thought."

"I think about it too, but I am sure they know you've been here. Just by the feeling."

Dean nodded, "Still, it's you all over. Giving a gift to others."

"I like to think that its' a birthday present. To see you all again. Even if it is only one night a year."

"And you're Italian."

"Because I believe."

"Is that all it takes?"

Angela chuckled at him. "How many times has believing worked for you?" She smirked at him.

"That's a nice smile," Sam's voice entered. He came up and put his arm around her shoulders. "Kids are asleep."

"No doubt because of Mom and Dad." Dean muttered as he moved to lean on the rail next to Sam. "Good to see you Sammy."

Sam smiled as he hugged Angela close. She didn't say anything since she suspected that Sam could sense his brother there even he couldn't see him. He had never questioned her desire to celebrate Day of the Dead instead of her birthday. He went with it and it eased the pain of missing his brother.

Angela leaned into Sam. She started singing the song Dean used to sing to Jess when she was a baby. It was a reminder that Dean had one more place to visit. He took the hint, "I know. I know."

Angela just smiled as she kept singing. Dean smirked as he moved to kiss her cheek. "Thanks for telling me about Hale and Kayla."

Angela said nothing but gave a slight nod of her head while singing. Sam held her tighter as Dean departed. It was a good day remembering.