Category Archives: haiku

Flowers, candles, food - 
Day of the Dead approaches.
Loving remembrance…

I recently snapped this photo of a marigold, and wanted to share it with you now because marigolds make me think of  Day of the Dead – Dia de los Muertos.  Celebrated on November 1st (children) and November 2nd (adults), Day of the Dead is a time to honor loved ones who have passed on.  It’s a way to celebrate them, and is an attempt to lure their spirits back to earth by offering them some of their earthly favorites.  Shrines are constructed, and the shrines often include candles, marigolds, the deceased’s favorite food, photographs, and other personal items.  I think it’s a lovely way to remember and honor those who have left us.

I created a shrine for my husband’s grandmother some years back, and wrote an accompanying article that was published in Somerset Memories magazine (then known as Legacy).  (Here’s a link to a scan of the article, in case you’re interested in reading it.)  Since the piece was published I’ve lost my beloved Aunt Bobby, my Grandma Neva, and my stepmother Dottie.  And though I’m not creating shrines for them this year, I am definitely honoring them and remembering them during this year’s Day of the Dead celebrations – as I do every day of the year…

Warm regards,
Melody