November in México signifies the return of seasonal friends, the prospect of cooler weather, and the arrival of my favorite holiday!
Día de los Muertos
Our celebration of this Mexican tradition has grown over the years, as we better understand its significance, the local culture and unfortunately have had more loved ones pass on. We are often away from home on major holidays and cherish the rare opportunity to establish a tradition in our home, as a family.
Día de los Muertos
Our celebration of this Mexican tradition has grown over the years, as we better understand its significance, the local culture and unfortunately have had more loved ones pass on. We are often away from home on major holidays and cherish the rare opportunity to establish a tradition in our home, as a family.
Each evening we sit in front of our altar, which is adorned with pictures of our loved ones who have passed to the other side. We speckle a few of their favorite Earthly indulgences beside them -- a snickers bar and a pipe for Grandpa Sellars, a book for Grandpa Rawlins, some tequila for Melby and a bone for Sagebrush. As we assemble our altar, we are conscious of offering each person their own goodies to enjoy as well as selecting something that was not given the year prior. What would Uncle Chuck & Mike want with them this year? How about Grandma Rawlins, Uber & Sellars? The process of providing them with activities they enjoyed in life, helps us to recall their lives and invokes stories of them. Setting up the altar is as enjoyable as sipping tequila in front of it during the evenings (which speaks volumes, because I love me some good sipping tequila).
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Rooted in Aztec and Catholic traditions, the impetus to celebrate the dead arose from the notion that the dead would be insulted by mourning and sadness. Signs of the holiday spring up everywhere...altars are set out early in the grocery stores and schools, papel picado flags are strung through the streets, local vendors sell cempasúchil flowers (marigolds).
Altars and ceremonies take place privately in homes as well as in public. Our sleepy little village of less than 2,000 residents comes to life to remember and honor the dead. It is believed that on this day, the dead return as part of the community to share in the festivities with their loved ones. November 1st is honored as Día de los Angelitos (day of the little angels) as remembrance for the infants and children and the the following day is Día de los Muertos, the day for the adults-- both honored as a national holiday on the 2nd.
Altars and ceremonies take place privately in homes as well as in public. Our sleepy little village of less than 2,000 residents comes to life to remember and honor the dead. It is believed that on this day, the dead return as part of the community to share in the festivities with their loved ones. November 1st is honored as Día de los Angelitos (day of the little angels) as remembrance for the infants and children and the the following day is Día de los Muertos, the day for the adults-- both honored as a national holiday on the 2nd.
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As I disassemble this year's altar, I pray it doesn't change in the upcoming year. I continue to think about and relish the time spent with our loved ones; their stories resurrected, fresh in my mind. I remember to tell the living how special they are to me and why. I lighten up and try to take life less seriously. After all, one of the underlying themes of Día de los Muertos is to remember to live life to the fullest...regardless of what you have or who you are. Because in the END, we are all left with nothing... so why fret about it now?!
