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.

Just Another Day of Just Another Year

JANUARY 1^ST: JUST ANOTHER DAY

The truth of the matter is, I did not want 2013 to end! Even after an early evening nap, I gave up and I went to bed at 10:30 p.m. I did not want it to end with a bang; I just wanted the year to dissolve into the stillness of the night. I gave my son a big hug (felt fortunate that he was actually home) and we both declared; “it’s just another day.” However, his last question was: Do you have any resolutions mom?

2013 A SIGNIFICANT YEAR

So now it is “just another day,” which happens to be January 1^st, 2014. 2013 was a year of fun, family and milestones. Why would I want that to end?  The Isabel-Manosalvas Holiday card summarizing this phenomenal year was never sent, never even made – for that would have signified closure – closure to a year that I never wanted to end. So, what was so significant about the year 2013?

• My 1^st post-dissertation year! Yes, the first year that I could do what I wanted each and every weekend!
• Charles and Brittany got married!, and it has been a great 7 months so far!
• Ricardo graduated from High School, and has successfully transitioned to College with a solid 1^st semester both in the classroom and on the soccer field!
• Ricardo turned 18. There are no “kids” in my family at the moment; we are all adults.
• Hmmm, this is the first in 22 years that one of my children has not been a student in the same school where I am working.

2014 JUST ANOTHER YEAR

After these important milestones and nothing predicted and planned for 2014, I can say that makes 2014, “just another year.”

Well, there is one small milestone; in a few months I will enter my 5^th decade of life, which leads me to this story and my resolution for 2014.  When Ricardo was in Kindergarten (yes, I did say he just turned 18), one of his teachers was hitting this important milestone, and in the midst of a wonderful classroom birthday celebration between 18, 5 year olds and 2 dedicated teachers, Ricardo shouts out, “Wow, that means you are half dead.” In his little Kindergarten mind, a year of counting by tens, and celebrating with 50 and 100 day school parties, meant we all live to be 100!

So raise up those glasses, here’s to my “half-dead year;” it’s “just another year.”

WORDS, REFLECTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS

The last few days have been interesting. Yesterday, the last day of 2013, I purposefully stayed away from social media; for the past week so many of the blogs and tweets in my PLN were about professional resolutions for 2014 and reflections of 2013. Among them was the #oneword2014 hashtag. Oh gosh, I kept thinking, now I have to pick one word; what the heck will it be?! The first word I thought of was “Grit,” but then I thought, how trendy is that?  It is yet another word that has been cruising around the twitter and blogosphere lately. Yes – I was brushing these “things” (reflections and resolutions) off as if they were insignificant – my way of avoiding closure of this significant year. The truth is, these words, reflections, and resolutions are important; they ground us, focus our intentions and keep us on track.

During the last month of the year, I was able to share my professional and personal dream with two of my immediate supervisors. It is a dream they have been aware of; but having that one-on-one time, getting advice and support, and most importantly openly articulating the challenges I am facing in reaching my dream, provided me with a sense of relief and re-commitment.  After reflecting that December evening, I was whole-heartedly committed to PERSISTANTLY persuing my dream.  Now, that won’t surprise many that know me. I never give up, and have always put my heart and soul into achieving my goals, and many things have not come easily.

That evening, however, I realized, something more important.  My life is not about solely pursuing that dream. My life is about being PRESENT each and every day, whatever day that is, a special day or “just another day.” That evening I recommitted myself to doing the best job that I can at work every day, and being the best Mom that I can be when at home physically or virtually (yes, I am a virtual mom – that’s what happens when your “kids” are “adults.”) In sum, no matter where I am, who I am with or what I am doing, I will be fully PRESENT.

#oneword2014 RESOLUTION

So, Yes, Ricardo, I do have a resolution:  As I enter my “half dead,” year, I will be PERSISTENT in working toward my dream, while ensuring that I am fully PRESENT each and every day, especially when it is “just another day.”

If I truly am “half dead,” I am extremely fortunate to even contemplate that I may have 50 more years of personal growth and physical and emotional presence in this world with my boys and our present and future families!

HOLIDAY COLLAGE OF 2013

And now that 2013 is officially over, making the holiday card is a whole lot easier.

Happy New Year to all, and remember to cherish each and every ordinary day!

Love, Margo

Post Script 1: I acknowledge this post could use some editing! It is long, and a bit wordy; sentences are too long; multiple topics are introduced and not filtered together like a cone; and, it’s emotional. Cheers to entering my 2^nd post-dissertation year, where my writing can just “be” ! OK – maybe I will work on writing concise blogs in 2014, I know my readership will grow if I do!

Post Script 2: If you did not notice, I just could not get it to one word! My words are: PERSISTENT and PRESENT so I will just be persistent at being present!