Día de los Muertos

For the last several years, my husband and I have created our own mini Ofrenda with photos and marigolds to celebrate the lives of our loved ones on Nov 1st- 2nd, Día de los Muertos.

The thing about grief, is that it can hit you like a truck out of nowhere... like when you see a couple walking and something about the way they hold onto one another reminds you of your grandma and grandpa, the next thing you know you're crying in Macy's (this one may be personal).. or when you hit a big milestone or life event, you just want to share it with your loved ones that have died.

I love this holiday because it reminds us that while not earth side, our loved ones spirits are all around us. To me, this is a way to find peace through the pain of grief. I've included some great children's books about this special holiday. Another favorite is the wonderful Pixar movie, Coco!

Learn more about Dia de los Muertos here:

"The Day of the Dead (el Día de los Muertos), is a Mexican holiday where families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives for a brief reunion that includes food, drink and celebration. A blend of Mesoamerican ritual, European religion and Spanish culture, the holiday is celebrated each year from October 31-November 2. While October 31 is Halloween, November 2 is All Souls Day or the Day of the Dead. According to tradition, the gates of heaven are opened at midnight on October 31 and the spirits of children can rejoin their families for 24 hours. The spirits of adults can do the same on November 2." History.com