Honoring Méxican culture in 87 words
#FallWritingFrenzy 2022
Anyone else cry when they watch Coco? ✋🏽
SUCH. A. BEAUTIFUL. FILM.
As a child I shied away from the colorful skulls of Día de los Muertos (or simply Día de Muertos as locals refer to it). But now I think it’s beautiful!
Here’s my short piece honoring the stunning culture of México:
(+ handcrafted DDLM finds!)
Credit: Stefano Ciociola for Unsplash
The Heart of Día de los Muertos
by Nicole Williamson
The ofrenda smiles with
old photos and
candle smoke curls with memories.
Mama’s pan de muerto
glistens with
butter and sugar.
Marigolds make
a trail of blazing sun
beckoning loved ones from beyond.
Candied calaveras sparkle
with stardust–
bright beacons in the dark.
Papel picado flutters
with the breeze of
family floating home.
La Catrina reminds us
to remember those we’ve lost
with happiness and warmth.
Life is a celebration.
Death is not
the
end.
La familia lives forever
in our hearts.
Credit: Disney’s Coco
Sending love to all the ‘Mama Cocos’ out there, forever close to our hearts.
In writing this piece I discovered the Day of the Dead is rich with symbolism (find out why sugar skulls? HERE).
And while it does have skulls and starts on Oct 31st (and goes through Nov 2nd) . . .
it is NOT a Mexican Halloween.
But you can still “participate thoughtfully” (Henry Pacheco) in Día de los Muertos to honor your loves ones and celebrate their legacies.
At the core, that’s what this holiday is all about: family.
Some links may be affiliate.
How to Celebrate Dia de los Muertos
Ceramic Calavera (Sugar Skull) Candle Holders
Paint your own Mini Day of the Dead Altar
Papel Picado. Mariposa symbolize transformation and rebirth.
Feliz Día de los Muertos!
Next: How to ‘Fall’ in love: 7 fall date ideas to up your sweater-weather romance game
Nicole Williamson I love you writing! Such beautiful descriptions!
Thanks so much Kailey! Writing brings me a lot of joy 🙂
What a beautiful tribute to tradition. Thank you for sharing the work and knowledge. Good luck!
@mowrex (Twitter)