I have permanently
adopted the celebration of the Day of the Dead into my life and annual
traditions. This was not an intentional decision; I just couldn’t let it go.
Celebrating this holiday makes me feel good - it helps me honor the loved ones
who have left us during the year. I experienced and learned about the Day of
the Dead in Ecuador where I lived for almost a decade. (As noted in this previous blog). For the two decades that followed I relied on the tradition to
teach and share about the Spanish language and Latin American culture to
students, teachers and parents. But I have since taken a pause in teaching.
Creating an Ofrenda has always moved me emotionally thus each November a small
Ofrenda is maintained in my home to honor the lives of our loved ones.
This year’s Ofrenda
honors the PELLETIER FAMILY & MS. WENDY BISHOP.
Paul and Clara Pelletier were
my grandparents. They had three children, Joan, Linda and Walter. My dear
mother, Joan, passed away on March 18th 2016. My uncle Walter passed in 2017,
and my Aunt Linda passed on December 28, 2018. The entire Pelletier family has
left us - they are now all together. My Ofrenda represents a few memories of
our time together in Penacook and Lake Winnipesaukee New Hampshire where we all
frequented on holidays and summers. Whenever I smell the fresh scent of pine I
think of New Hampshire! Whether playing (or causing havoc) with my cousins on
the lush pine needle blanket under the pine trees at my Grandparents' Penacook
home, or visualizing my mom’s annual Christmas display of Lake Winnipesaukee
pine cones sitting in the silver bowl on our dining room table-the smell and
sights of Pine bring me closer to family. 100% pure, maple syrup was a
necessity and staple of the Pelletier and Isabel home. My grandfather would
purchase a few gallons of pure, dark New Hampshire syrup each year to divide
and share with the family. It is still a staple in my home! In fact, David
and I recently visited a Virginia Maple farm.
The fly fishhook reminds me of my grandfather who had a passion for
fishing. I loved to explore his attic and was mesmerized by all of Grampy’s
fishing equipment!
Wendy Bishop left this
earth much too early, on March 30th 2019-a young, talented, humble, thirty
five year old. It was of great pleasure for David to have his daughter in
our home for the last year of her life, a time filled with fond memories. Wendy
loved hedgehogs and thus accompany her spirit on the Ofrenda. The Big Bend hat
represents an incredible 10 day journey that the three of us took to West Texas in
December of 2018. David shared with us his roots, his hometown, and
the incredible natural beauty of the area. Memories were made and will last
forever. Wednesday was Wendy’s day to make dinner. She experimented with
different cuisines and mixtures. She pleased her Dad every time, but for me her
chicken dumplings were the best that I have ever eaten! She was very fond of
cayenne pepper which made its way into most of her dishes; thus these cayenne
peppers represent Wendy’s Wednesday meals. David received the Kisses from
Heaven bouquet on the 6 month anniversary of her passing.
We miss you all and wish
that you were still with us. During this month of Thanksgiving we give thanks for
these and all the incredible memories that our loved ones, Grampy, Nanny, Mom,
Linda, Walter and Wendy brought to our lives. These memories will be with us
forever.
