A couple of years ago my father passed away of cancer. I've had a difficult time trying to deal with his death. He was only 60 years old and I was only 27 years old. I felt like I was robbed from many more memories at an early age. I was not ready.When I read this assignment my father came to mind. I felt like I needed to the Day of the Dead Altar for my father.
The Day of the Dean is a beautiful ritual in which Mexicans happily and lovingly remember their loved relatives that have died. This holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friend to pray for and remember friends and relatives who have died. The celebration occurs on the 1st and 2nd of November, in connection with the Catholic holy days of All Saint's Day and All Soul's Day which take place on those days. Traditions include building private altars honoring the deceased, using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these as gifts.
Many people believe that during the Day of the Dead, it is easier for the souls for the departed to visit the living. Celebrations can take a humorous tone, as celebrants remember funny events and anecdotes about the departed.
My father's birthday was on October 31st, so this assignment was done on that day as I celebrated my father's memories. First I placed and old black and white picture of my daddy and his family. He loved his family and took care of me, my two sisters and my mother. He was a hard working farmer in this small town, but he knew how to laugh and have fun when the time was right. Every evening when my father got home from working, he had a table in this house where he emptied his pockets. This is the table and the coins represents what was in my father's pockets. He loved hunting and fishing, so I included a fishing lure and a duck. You can not see it, but I left his favorite candy in the tin can...he loved orange slices (gummy, sugar things). I also included an angel because I know my daddy is an angel looking over me and my family.
This was very peaceful and in a way very calming. While making the altar I was able to a share memories of my father with my husband and little boy. We shared a couple of laughs and then I prayed for my father.
I enjoyed doing this project and it also gave me a little piece of mind.
2 comments:
Hi Natalie! I can so relate...my mother passed away four years ago of cancer at age 62 and I too felt "robbed" of her; we had five weeks from her surprise diagnosis to her death and the shock is still reverberating to some degree.
My father's birthday is the same as your father's :) He's been on borrowed time for 14 years now with a kidney transplant and I caregive for him since my mother passed away. Death hovers over us around here in my parent's house where my mother died and where Dad tries to live each day and yet, similar to the Mexican outlook, I am seeing it more and more as a part of the whole lifecycle that's natural and oddly reassuring...
Really enjoyed the thoughtfulness of your alter experience.
Best, Lachlan
Hi Natalie,
I also feel as if my time with my mother was cut way too short. She was only 61...I feel as if I have so much more to share with her.
You did a wonderful job honoring your father's memories with your beautiful "altar"
Take care - Kathi
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