I love Day of the Dead or Dia de los Muertos!  It is one of my favorite times of the year.  For me the idea of honoring and remembering those that have passed has become special.

Many of you know that I have lost a sister and two brothers.  I have watched the anguish of my parents as they tried to navigate the loss of three children while trying to help the surviving kids deal with their grief.

At times, I wasn’t sure my parents would survive, but with grace and dignity, I can only hope to achieve, they have moved forward.

Life can hold such heartbreak that you think you will just break and then a day comes and you realize you have managed to get through the day without a heavy heart and you have managed to take a breath without thinking about it.

Most of you know about the Day of the Dead.  For those of you that don’t the following paragraphs give you a glimpse of this hauntingly beautiful holiday.

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, may sound frightening, but it’s not. In many Latin American countries, such as Mexico, Bolivia, Guatemala, and Ecuador, it’s a time for reuniting with family to remember loved ones who have passed away.

For many Mexicans, this is the most important holiday of the year. The main Day of the Dead celebration is held November 1, but often stretches one or two additional days, from October 31 to November 2, depending on local tradition. It is believed that at this time, the souls of the dead return to Earth to visit with their families.

I learned that November 1 was a time to celebrate the loss of infants and children.  This was a much more solemn celebration, but that November 2 was to celebrate the lives of the adults which was a much more festive day.

In preparation for these visits, families erect large, three-tiered altars in their homes. On the altars they leave soap, water and towels, so the spirits can wash after their journey back; mementos of the deceased, including clothes, favorite possessions, and portraits; and generous ofrendas, or offerings, of food and drink. Altars will also feature candles, to help light the spirit’s way, and flowers and flower petals – particularly those of the marigold – whose scent will help lead the spirit home.

There are many traditions common to Day of the Dead. Often, families use this time to visit cemeteries and clean up the crypts and grave sites of the deceased. At the cemetery, people socialize with friends and neighbors and have picnics on the cemetery grounds.

Skeletons and skulls are popular Day of the Dead decorations. Instead of being scary, these decorations are both whimsical and fun. Skeletons are shown making funny faces, dancing, laughing and wearing outlandish costumes. People also enjoy wearing calacas, which are wooden, skull-shaped masks.

During the celebration, children can be seen eating skull-shaped candies, or munching on candy bones. Many families hold wonderful feasts during the celebration. A special bread called Pan de los Muertos, or Bread of the Dead, is also eaten at this time. This flat bread is baked in the shape of a skull and crossbones. Each loaf has a small, plastic skeleton hidden inside. The person who receives the piece with the skeleton will have good luck throughout the year.