Posted by giveawayboy on October 24, 2003 at 10:07:40:
In Reply to: Re: Hall-O-ween and Day of the Dead posted by kat on October 24, 2003 at 08:37:27:
KAT: I love you Day of the Dead posts! thanks
BILL: No prob.
KAT: Do you know why they depict Jesus as a young boy at this time?
BILL: Actually, this is a typical image of Jesus in Mexico, all year 'round.
KAT: Did you make an altar? If so, what's on it?
BILL: The altar is also called an ofrenda and right now I only have a few skulls, a candle and images of Jesus and Mary on it. Later though, after All Saints Day I will put my grandmother's picture on it and perhaps pictures of other people I know who have passed on. It is to remember them. And then I'll put things that have to do with her, a small bottle of Coke, some playing cards, a wheat penny (she always collected those). It's just a way to honor our beloved dead. I know to some it might seem like a strange custom or ancestor worship, but it's really just acknolwedging that no matter what side of death we are on, we are ultimately not separated in Christ. The Mexicans got Day of the Dead from fusing Aztec beliefs about the afterlife with the Catholic festival of All Soul's Day. Usually during this festival they will create home ofrendas to the memory of dead loved ones and include photos or personal belongings of the dead relative, favortie foods that the relative liked in their lifetime, candles, images of Jesus and the saints, skulls and marigolds which are the flowers of the dead. They go into the graveyards and sit by their loved ones' graves, scattering marigolds over them taking, food and sharing, talking about that person. I remember going to Win's grave once on Day of the Dead and just talking with a few others about what Win meant to us. It is looked at as a joyful time when we see death in a positive light. Skeletons and skulls are everywhere. I can see how some Christians might think it was some morbid holiday, but really it's very humane and very spiritual. It's like saying that we accept death as a part of life and we do not fear it, but we just dance along with it, trusting in the greater ultimate meaning behind it all. We believe in God, we also believe in an afterlife, so we can embrace death just like birth or all the moments in between. Day of the Dead is a little reminder that says, "Hey baby! Our lives do not end here!" Our memories live on. And it's important for us as the still living to keep those memories alive. It is humanity's little boast against the ominous threat of time. We have the hope of eternity instead.
KAT: Miss you Bill, need a ride tonight or sunday?
Sure, Sunday sounds great. Just let me know what time to be ready and call me for directions if you need them. Thanks.