“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.”
— OSCAR WILDE
During the Day of the Dead festivities, Mexican people celebrate their loved ones who have passed on, and at the same time, they celebrate the continuity of life. Families are welcoming their dead back into their homes and honoring the departed with a visit to the graves. The cemeteries shine bright orange, as every tomb is decorated with marigold flowers. Family members gather, and they even have picnics at the cemetery. The tradition says that the souls of the dead return to celebrate with their beloved people.
In their homes, people build so-called “ofrendas”. These are private altars decorated with marigold flowers, sugar skulls, photos of the departed, food, and things they liked, as well as objects related to their profession and hobbies. I love this part because it really makes you connect with them. It’s a ritual where you think and talk about the dead, gather things they liked, and put your own creativity and love into decorating the altar. And this ritual, in the end, also makes us think about our own lives.
What would people put on your altar? Do you like what you see on this imaginary altar? Are you living your life fully? Are you satisfied with how you spend your days? If not, what first small step can you take to change it? Remember, it’s in our hands to make our lives a work of art!
