"In our tradition, people die three deaths. The first death is when our bodies cease to function . . . . The second death comes when the body is lowered into the ground, returned to mother earth, out of sight. The third death, the most definitive death, is when there is no one left alive to remember us."
Quoted from: Victor Landa, from San Antonio, TX, explaining the thinking behind Mexico's Los Dias de los Muertos.
A decorated Sugar Skull
Happy Day of the Dead! In Mexico, people traditionally celebrate The Day of the Dead (Los Dias de Los Muertos) on November 1 and 2 of every year. From what I've heard (and please, correct me if I'm wrong!), it's a festive celebration of remembering our loved ones who have died.
An altar celebrating our dead loved ones Unlike here in America where death isn't celebrated, the Mexicans have a bit different view of death. They prepare festive altars of food, toys, and flowers for their loved ones, whom they believe, get to briefly return each year: On the eve of October 31, children who have died come back to visit their families; the next day, adults who have died come back for a visit; and the next and last day is when families join their friends in the grave yard to listen to music, decorate and clean the cemetery, and bond together over life and loss. It's truly a community event, although it is celebrated slightly differently in countries all over the world. (Read more here).
The celebration is becoming more and more popular here in America, too. Perhaps it is because, like me, people want to find ways of honoring and remembering the lives of our loved ones who have died and take comfort in the idea of them being to return, if only briefly, for one day to say hello.
I really liked Victor Landa's quote today because he really points out to us that there is more than one way of dying, and conversely, that there is more than one way of living.
Renegade Thought of the Day: What scares you more: dying a physical death or being dead and being forgotten by everyone on earth?
Renengade Challenge: Take a moment to remember (and perhaps reconnect with!) your loved ones and ancestors who have departed this earth.
Renegade Thought of the Day: What scares you more: dying a physical death or being dead and being forgotten by everyone on earth?
Renengade Challenge: Take a moment to remember (and perhaps reconnect with!) your loved ones and ancestors who have departed this earth.
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