Día de los Muertos en mi Casa

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.

Dr. Isabel's Reflections on Día de los Muertos and Halloween

Halloween is obviously a time for fun, and it can also be a time of cultural celebration and exploration. We encourage parents to talk with their children and think about the characters they pretend to be as they dress in their costume finery!. Things to consider are: Does my costume in any way reinforce a cultural, racial or gender stereotype? Is there any way it could be misinterpreted negatively?  If my costume portrays another cultural background, how would a member of that culture feel? Is my costume to scary for our little Owls?

My children spent a part of their childhood in Ecuador, and thus did not experience Halloween as we do in the United States. Although that was difficult for them, we learned about other important holidays and celebrations. “Día de los Muertos”, or All Souls’ Day, was one of those holidays, and one that I personally cherish the most. It is a time to honor and remember loved ones and ancestors who have passed on. I was so impressed by the positive atmosphere that I experienced with people as they celebrated the lives of relatives and friends who were no longer with them. I would experience the holiday through my five senses. First and foremost were the sights I saw. Bright colors everywhere! Flowers and wreaths being sold on the street; fruit baskets all around. Then came the smells - my favorite being the sweet smell of Colada Morada, a thick drink made of blackberries, blueberries, pineapple, cinnamon and cloves. And then there were the sounds of guitars, violins and singing in both the streets and the cemeteries. Finally, the feel of the hugs of all as we remembered the stories of our relatives and ancestors. This was my experience of this wonderful celebration from the time I lived in Ecuador.

As soon as I returned to living in the United States and saw how the holiday was celebrated by our diverse Hispanic population with its great Mexican influences, I began to research, learn about and share my knowledge with my students. I have always created a small altar in my classroom or office as well as shared stories and crafts that celebrate the holiday. So here is my pequeño altar in honor of Día de los Muertos.