Madame Pavilla and the Art of Tomb Cleaning
Ah, All Saints’ Day! The one day a year when you can dress in black, visit your loved ones in the cemetery, and have a *genuinely* valid excuse for behaving like a missing person at a family get-together. In today’s heartwarming tale, we journey with Madame Z. Pavilla, a sprightly 92-year-old, who proves that the spirit of remembrance isn’t bound by time or even a decent knee! Yes, you heard that right! Grab your wellies—because it’s about to get muddy in the Macouba cemetery!
The Mission Begins
So there she is, bright and early on October 31st—Madame Pavilla—essentially our leading lady in this spooky yet touching saga. Our gal has a mission: to clean her family’s vault. Why? Because, as she famously put it, her mother asked her not to forget—but also because, let’s be honest, a dirty family vault brings shame upon the clan. You wouldn’t want to lose face in the afterlife, would you? Talk about family pressure!
Dressed quite elegantly in black and white, not for a funeral party but for a good old-fashioned cemetery cleanup—I mean, that’s *fashion* people—she sets off like a determined little soldier. A broom in one hand, sentimental memories in the other, she marches to the bus stop, which sadly behaves much like the universe when we’re late: it just drives right past!
The Good Samaritan
But fear not, because just when despair threatened to take hold, a good Samaritan appeared—a form of Uber that doesn’t require a 5-star rating! The kind stranger picks her up and, against the odds, Mrs. Pavilla finds herself on the road to redemption—well, more like Macouba, but same difference, right?
Even though the town was buzzing with the typical pre-holiday hustle and bustle—the *bleachy* smell for the clean-up brigade wafting through the air—this wasn’t any ordinary clean-up; this was legacy, *and* love! You can almost hear her mother’s ghost cheerleading from the sidelines: “You go, girlfriend! Get those cobwebs!”
Cleaning House, Spirit Style
Upon arriving, however, she faced an uphill battle against the inevitable: a vault that hadn’t seen a decent polish in years! Cobwebs hung like the remnants of last year’s Halloween decorations, and the tiles? Well, they were in worse shape than a poorly made cup of tea. But not to worry, our Madame Pavilla is armed with more than just cleaning supplies; she’s equipped with sheer willpower (and maybe a spirit of some kind) and set about scrubbing the family history.
As she wipes away both dirt and tears, she feels that connection to her past. It’s poignant, really. Here’s a woman who’s not just cleaning a vault; she’s having an emotional reunion—a tête-à-tête with those she’s lost. Grab the tissues, folks! This is heartstring-pulling work!
Miracle in the Cemetery
Let’s discuss the weather for a second. It’s as if the day had been arranged by a divine entity! You know how every other day in the tropics is a steamy sauna? Well, not on this day! The skies opened up with glorious sun as if they were saying, “Alright, Madame Pavilla, we see you putting in the effort. Here’s some sunshine to brighten your day!” You’d think Holy Spirits would be sending her a thumbs-up!
Honoring a Tradition
As dusk approached, with candles lit early—because let’s be real, she might not make it back the next day—she made her way home. In a final swoop of respect, she crossed herself as she passed by the Basse-Pointe church, a solemn gesture mixed with a little good luck charm. After all, who knows what spirits are lurking around on Halloween?
Final Thoughts
So, dear readers, as we reflect on Madame Pavilla’s journey, let us acknowledge that caring for our ancestors’ memories and legacies is as important as ever—particularly when life doesn’t come with a manual. And as for cleaning family vaults? If Madame Pavilla can do it at 92, what’s our excuse for not keeping our heritage in ship shape? So gather those brooms, bring out the bleach, and let’s make tomb clean-up a family affair! Just remember: When in doubt, always check for cobwebs!
For many believers, the tradition of All Saints’ Day must be respected. We must remember the deceased and their lives. For Madame Pavilla, aged 92, it is the only way to reconnect with her mother.
At 7 a.m. this Thursday (October 31), Madame Z. Pavilla, aged 92, left her house in La Trinité. She intended to take the bus towards the Macouba cemetery to clean the family vault.
Above all, she wanted to honor her mother who asked her “not to forget him in the cemetery.”
The day before, Madame Pavilla dreamed of her mother.
It was of paramount importance that she went to Macouba, her hometown where life had been so hard in the past.
Madame Pavilla walked alone on the road with a determined step. Dressed in black and white, she carried a plastic bag which contained a brush, a cloth and candles.
Despite her painful knee, she stands well. Two buses passed without stopping for her.
As she was preparing to return home without having accomplished her mission, a good Samaritan offered to drop her off as far as Macouba.
She didn’t hesitate. Even though those around him told him that someone else was going to take care of cleaning the vault. She wanted to see it with her own eyes.
The cleaned tombs of the Macouba cemetery. • ©Caroline Popovic
In the small town in the North, the cemetery located behind the old church was already in full activity. We clean, we change the flowers and we apply a new coat of white paint. The smell of bleach filled the air.
The Pavilla family vault hadn’t been cleaned in a while. Cobwebs hung above the vault. The tiles were very dirty.
Pavilla family vault before cleaning. • ©Caroline Popovic
Madame Pavilla found water and a broom. She cleaned everything.
She thought much more intensely about her mother and the other relatives buried in the vault. His heart was heavy. She felt sadness. In the cemetery, she felt a presence.
Mrs. Z. Pavilla cleans the family vault at the Macouba cemetery. • ©Caroline Popovic
For her, cleaning the vault is an act of love, a duty to remember, a recognition of ancestors, a moment to reconnect with the deceased.
The weather was exceptionally good at the Macouba cemetery, which surprised everyone. Normally, it rains heavily on grave cleaning day.
The Macouba cemetery. • ©Caroline Popovic
The new flowers brightened up the cemetery. Some made jokes about Saint Basil being capable of triggering serial deaths when he announced his arrival in a commune.
According to funerary traditions in the West Indies, Saint Basil leaves with the dead. He would even have a list of names of the people he came to pick up.
Detail of a vault in the Macouba cemetery. • ©Caroline Popovic
Before leaving for La Trinité, Madame Pavilla took care to light candles in the family vault. Of course, this is premature. We light the candles on November 1st. But she doesn’t know if she will be able to go to the Macouba cemetery to participate in the All Saints’ Day tradition.
She did her best to respect her mother’s wishes and not abandon her.
On the way back, she passed the Basse-Pointe church and made the sign of the cross.
The sense of reverence in the air was palpable, almost as if the spirits were gathered, looking down on her and urging Madame Pavilla onward. With every sweep of the broom, she unearthed memories long buried—a childhood laugh, a comforting embrace, the warmth of familial love. Tears mingled with the sweat on her brow, yet she persisted. This was not just a cleaning; it was a spiritual cleansing.
The sun shone brightly above, a constant reminder that even in the darkest of times, light can break through. Each sweep uncovered not only dirt but a sense of closure. She could almost hear her mother whispering, ”You have done well, my dear.” That thought propelled her closer to the end of her task.
The Power of Memory
As shadows lengthened and the sun began its descent, Madame Pavilla sat on the edge of the family vault, now gleaming under the care of her loving hands. She placed the candles she had brought around the base of the vault, ready to light them in honor of her family. As she lit the first candle, its soft glow began to chase away the lingering shadows, just as her dedication to her family brought light into her own heart.
“I’ll never forget you,” she whispered, as she began lighting the rest. Each flickering flame carried a promise—of remembrance, of honor, and of the unbreakable bond that threaded through generations. In that moment, she felt a part of something larger than herself, a legacy that would continue to echo through the years.
A Lasting Legacy
As she made her way home, the flickering candlelight illuminated the path ahead, guiding her with the warmth of the memories she’d just relived. She walked with a newfound lightness, her heart uplifted by the affirmation of her ancestors’ love. This journey, though steeped in sorrow, had also been an act of deep connection and profound respect.
In reflecting on her day, Madame Pavilla realized that the true essence of legacy lies in the memories we cherish and the rituals we uphold. Even at 92, she was driven by a force stronger than time—a commitment to honor her family, establish a connection with the past, and create a sanctuary of remembrance amidst the hustle of everyday life.
In Conclusion
So, as we celebrate All Saints’ Day and honor our loved ones, let us carry forward this message of remembrance. It is our duty to keep alive the stories of those who came before us. Whether through cleaning family vaults, lighting candles, or simply sharing stories, each act reinforces the bonds we hold dear. So take that broom, gather your loved ones, and perhaps this Halloween, consider a journey of your own to reconnect with those who have shaped your existence. It’s time to cherish their memory, for they live on in us as long as we remember.
