This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Angel Soft®. The opinions and text are all mine.”
Death is something no one likes to talk about. It’s one of the things we all know will happen but most refuse to accept. When a loved one passes away the wounds of it are lasting and may never feel better. Others are replaced with feelings of joy and celebration of their journey. Remembering relatives that passes away takes strength. Remembering them with love takes softness that Angel Soft® understands.
One tradition that my family celebrates and my culture embraces is El Dia Del Muerto or the Day of The Dead. This tradition is an interesting holiday celebrated mostly in Mexico although many Latin American Countries have taken many aspects of it as their own. It coincides with the Catholic holiday called All Soul’s & All Saint’s Day on Nov.1 & 2. During this time people believe that the gates of heaven are opened at midnight on October 31, and the spirits of all deceased children (angelitos) are allowed to reunite with their families for 24 hours. On November 2, the spirits of the adults come down to enjoy the festivities that are prepared for them.
Altars are made to celebrate loved ones and include some of their favorite treats they enjoyed in life. As well as pictures of them in their youth. One reason I love to celebrate this with my kids is because it gives us an opportunity to talk about loved ones that have gone before us. The hardest part is when a relative has passed away recently or some who’s loss is still felt. I tell them stories that I experienced with them or if I never met the relative we talk about stories that have been passed down to me from relatives.
My family is a lot more low key in our celebration and we incorporate our Catholic faith with prayers and remembrance. This holiday isn’t meant to mourn the dead so much as to celebrate them, their journey and experience them for a few moments on this Earth again.
Every family has different ways to set up their Dia Del Muerto Altar. Some like us incorporate more pictures and some of the favorite treats they loved.
Others like to include things like the Calaveras or sugar skulls.
Some people also write poetry written for the Day of the Dead which are called literary calaveras, and are intended to humorously criticize the living while reminding them of their mortality.
This is a time of remembrance. It’s a time to remind of us of our mortality but face it with strength. Everyone celebrates it in different ways but with the same end in mind, to celebrate relatives that have passed before us. It’s a tradition built on strength & celebration of a journey.
Even though this is a celebration that has its roots in Mexico people from all cultures and walks of life can participate in this beautiful holiday. This is a wonderful way to remember family and all those wonderful attributes that made them special in our lives. During this time it may take Strength to do so but in the end one feels a softness in their heart remembering, they amazing journey they took before us.
Do you celebrate traditions in which you remember your loved ones that have gone before you?
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Georgia Pacific. The opinions and text are all mine.