Now that I have been living in Mexico for five years, things are starting to gel and make sense. I thought I understood Day of the Dead when I came here. I discovered I did not. Two years ago I sat with friends on a dark November 2 night. We lit candles and they made a lovely altar with flowers and food for the deceased. We gave offerings to our departed. The gift I chose was oranges for my beloved brother because he could never get enough oranges. He would even scrape the pulp from the fruit with his teeth. I always remember him eating oranges, whenever he could. Putting his picture on the altar and seeing him there with all the other spirits made me cry. I wondered why was I here, in another country, kind of alone. We shared little stories about the deceased and I began to understand how sacred and special these days of celebration and how healing they are. Death is a celebration, not an ending.
I have grown to love Dia De Los Muertos because I finally can allow all the tears to flow and remember my lost family and forever treasure them without sorrow. They never leave us, they are always there, just as we will be there for them.
I will post all the art I have created for this time of year for the next few months. It keeps me going and is a great inspiration in the face of a dark and darkening world. Here is a link if you wish to purchase this art. I would be grateful.
Painting Mexico 