Yesterday was the "Day of the Dead" in Mexico. Also celebrated in the States, we made our first altar.
Basically...
Day of the Dead in Mexico represents a mixture of Christian devotion and Pre-Hispanic traditions and beliefs. As a result of this mixture, the celebration comes to life as an unique Mexican tradition including an altar and offerings dedicated to the deceased.
The altar includes four main elements of nature — earth, wind, water, and fire.
Earth is represented by crop: The Mexicans believe the souls are fed by the aroma of food.
Wind is represented by a moving object: Tissue paper is commonly used to represent wind.
Water is placed in a container for the soul to quench its thirst after the long journey to the altar. * www.dayofhedead.com
Although I've heard of Dia de los Muertos my entire life, I've never made an altar. There are also a couple of other pictures on the altar for other family members who have passed.
To the day, whenever I pass a cemetery, I say a silent prayer for the souls who have passed on. It does not matter to me that I did not know them personally, I honor their mere existence on this plane. They were once somebody's newborn baby, sister, brother, mother / father, friend.
I have to admit that assembling the altar was painful. When it came time to choose which of Lorenzo's items would be placed on the altar the reality hit again-- this actually happened, it hurt deeply. But seeing Christian take my lead and comfortably place a small toy on the altar reminded me that I am still a mother and it is my responsibility to continue to teach, even that which hurts so much.
Some might think this to be morbid, but (unfortunately) death is a part of life. It's important for us, at least it is to me, to teach our children about this painful part of life, respectively. The altar brought the issue of death into our own home. It served as a visual reminder of that which we fear the most, and at the same time paid honor and respect to the ones we love.
I hope that Christian will someday carry on the tradition.
We love you Lorenzo...
