Día de los Muertos

 

In Mexican culture, today they celebrate and honor those who have passed away.

Using calaveras (skulls) and marigold flowers, they decorate home altars and present the favorite foods of a loved one.  They visit gravesites with gifts, pulling weeds and cleaning up any debris.

A few of us recently went up to see our grandparents - their ashes are in the Masonic Memorial Gardens.  It's been almost 20 years since my Nana passed away...

My other grandma passed earlier this year, and we'll actually be heading into San Francisco this weekend to spread her ashes in the bay, where my grandpa's were also taken.

It will be 6 years later this month since Pa...

But the point is to remember joyfully, with love and laughter, the memories that make us smile.  Celebrations are not universal and often vary from town to town.  Only recently have large scale events emerged as interest in the holiday has grown.  Mexico City hosted its first parade as recently as 2016.

Sadness doesn't exist here
Only happiness exists here
It's the dance of the beloved
The beloved from the past
Look at how my mom dances
Dancing with my brother from the past
Their spirits joining together to dance
Full of happiness and enjoyment