Festival of the Dead

"From my rotting body, flowers shall grow
and I am in them and that is eternity."
~Edvard Munch

I plan to do a wrap up post of the Hallowe'en festivities in the next few days. And I still haven't gotten around to everyone to wish them a Happy Hallowe'en (which will now be belated). But today and tomorrow is Dia de los Muertos so I thought I'd take this opportunity to honor the days that honor the dead! I realize some folks might consider this a strange holiday or custom, but I am just in love with the whole idea of it. To me, those who die are never dead. I feel they are always still here with me as long as I continue to think of them, dream of them and remember them in my daily life. I don't want my Father to be forgotten just because he is no longer on earth with us. I want my kids to think of him just as fondly as they do those grandparents who are still here. So we reference the funny things he did when something reminds us of him, or the way he chose to discipline versus the way we do. We remind them of times he spent with them to keep his spirit close at hand, and never far from our hearts and minds. Just because someone is gone, doesn't mean you quit loving them or remembering them and it really shouldn't in my opinion.I like to think that the lives of the loved ones we've loved and lost are worth far more than to just be erased from our memories because we no longer see them on a daily basis. So the custom of celebrating the life and death of those who've passed seems a very natural thing to me. And couple that with the fact that I really do love graveyards and color and flowers and skulls and music......and it just seems a perfect thing to celebrate. I've often said that I don't want my funeral to be some sad, morose affair where a preacher threatens my friends and family members with fire and brimstone. But rather I'd love for them to have a party in my honor....pick a theme and celebrate and share all the funny stories of the odd and strange girl that I was. Poke fun at the quirky things I did that made me...me! And above all, be happy that I am at rest from the cold cruel reality of the mortal world. In fact, a Dia de los Muertos celebration in my honor might be a fun idea for my funeral. And as a spirit....I just know I'd be right there with them having the time of my life death!
I've never been fortunate enough to attend a Dia de los Muertos celebration before, although I'd absolutely love to. In fact, I'm not really sure we even have them here in central Florida. I know they are big out in California, and I'd love to attend one someday. Not sure if it is acceptable to encroach on another family's honoring of their deceased however, but I'd love to join them in honoring their relatives if they didn't mind an extra person. To me there is just something warming about the colors and the art of the festival...that takes the pain and sadness out of death. So today I'd like to honor my own group of friends and family who've passed on, and celebrate The Festival of the Dead!All Art and Photos © 2011 Wendy A. (All Rights Reserved)