DIVALI - Festival of Lights

Divali is my LEAST FAVORITE holiday of all. It is the celebration of light over darkness, good over evil. So, what's wrong with that? FIRECRACKERS! The festival begins Sunday but they have already started with the crackers. Our street is all lit up like Christmas. It's very colorful. But I am, and will stay, in Lady's lap until this thing is over. I do not like it -not one little bit! This is THE major festival in India, with gift-giving, new clothes, special sweets and treats, and family gatherings. It's a major Hindu festival but is also celebrated by Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists. Most of our neighbors are Hindu and Sikh (the ones with the turbans). We put up our Christmas lights early and leave them up through Christmas. It is the custom to give all the helpers and workers gifts and money for Divali, but Lady and I give out gifts and bonuses at Christmas instead, because that is our tradition. That is our faith. We won't take part in any of the poojahs (prayers) or other idol worship during this festival, but we do put out lights to remember the Light of the World! Lights are very much a part of the Christian celebration of Christmas as well. People have candles everywhere, and tons of electric lights! The marketplaces are all covered in lights. Lights everywhere! 
Our friends are doing so much better now, and are out of the hospital. My buddy Wyatt is coming tomorrow. I bought him a plane from the movie, PLANES, to cheer him up! But today we found out another friend has dengue fever. He has five kids under 7, so this is not a good thing at all. 
Oh no, the crackers have started up!