Fortunately, we have a day when we can deal with one of life's biggest questions together, our own inevitable mortality.

Dia de los Muertos is that day, a day when we can face the reality of death on our own terms, as a human family.

When I'm caught up in thoughts of my own post-bucket chain of events, I usually wonder what day it will be on, or who it might affect the most. If my 'number' came up, some folks I adore would be so bummed out, and that just makes me sad.

But here comes Dia de los Muertos to the rescue.

My beloved clan, whether I'm actually there in spirit or not, will take up a festive vibe and come remember, celebrate and chill with me once more, and hopefully again and again as the years roll by. We should all count on that.

It is not so much for the departed, but for the living, for the living to temporarily invade Death's turf and party on it, with food, laughter and togetherness, in sheer defiance of Death's painful methods.

It realy shouldn't matter where these necessary gatherings aught to take place, be it the cemetery, a favorite place of the dearly departed or in the home of relative or friend.

A reminiscent coming-together of friends and family to honor the life of a dear loved one fills the heart with joyful memories and gratefulness for the privilege of co-existing with somebody that was valuable and cherished.

And for this day, their loved one is not absent.

Dia de los Muertos is accurately viewed as a Latin American or Hispanic celebration, but I haven't made a point of that for a reason.

Everybody dies. No matter which skin you're born in. And believe it or not, everybody is loved by somebody in this world.

Everybody's time and life on this planet served a purpose and is precious. We've all smiled and laughed with loved ones and least once in our lives.

On Nov. 2, we as human family can face the fact that Death has done us part.

But we also know the love of the living can bring those special moments back to our hearts again.

We can take a bite out of a candy skull and take the Reaper for a ride through our very selves and enjoy his sugar high, and let him out with a sigh.

Dia de los Muertos is meant to show the lighter side of death.

The figures of sombrero-wielding skeletons and their pretty skeleton girlfriends gives me a giggle that somehow gives levity to the abyss.

And as much as we don't ever want anybody we love to die, we shouldn't actually fear death for ourselves. Why should we?

After all, every skeleton I've ever seen is always smiling.