Making An Altar

This past weekend, October 26 and October 27, Spirit of Christ Catholic Community had the exhibition for Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) altars. Instead of doing an altar for my mother, father and brother which I have done in the past, I decided to prepare one for my son. His 3rd year anniversary of his death will be on October 29, 1920. It is a time that in some respects seems he has been gone longer than three years and at other times it seems as if he left us a few months ago.

I began gathering up mementos that I would place on the altar. A gold tablecloth, a small soccer ball, a stick figure of a soccer player with number eleven on its back because he played and coached soccer, two glasses filled with cranberry juice in lieu of wine, two of his pottery creations, a picture of a llama to represent Peru and maracas to represent Mexico, a bag of sunflower seeds because he ate them at games, chile peppers and tomatoes to represent the killer green chile he would make, a King Arthur book he loved to read as a child, and a picture of him skiing. I placed playing cards and  gambling card because he loved to go to Blackhawk, flip-flops to represent the ones he wore year round, orange chrysanthemum in one of his pots, a cell phone, a baby picture, Nessa, short for Vanessa, his grandfather's dog  that he took when his grandfather died, and three decorative candles. There were other items I would have liked to have on the altar but could not find them. One was a picture of his red Porsche and the other was a copy of  the Arvada Report where his company was featured.

After the 10:30 mass there were quite a few persons looking at the display of altars, children making and coloring skulls and pictures, watching the movie Coco, drinking apple cider and eating Day of the Dead bread shaped like a skull. After the 12:30 p.m. mass a few people came in to see the altars. I was not around after the other masses so I do not know how many persons wandered into the room to see the celebration of altars.

This Mexican custom may seem odd to some but yet it has an interesting story behind the tradition.
It is a day to honor those that are gone from this earth and remembering them by placing some of their favorite things on the altar. The Marigold is the traditional flower used but yellow, orange, and brown mums also work.

What I am noticing is that more and more places are decorating Day of the Dead altars.  Museum of Nature and Science, Mexican Cultural Center, Denver Botanic Gardens, and Longmont Museum and Cultural Center are a few where the tradition is celebrated. I know a few families who make their own private altars in their homes. I, for one, love the tradition of making altars for those that are no longer with us!

"Our dead are never dead to us,

until we have forgotten them."

George Eliot

A Deacon's Funeral

During the holidays, I worked at Macy's Department Store. I was what they called a "floater" and the year I was working in the purse, scarf and slipper areas, a tall man told me he was Christmas shopping and needed something for his wife. As I showed him different items we chatted and somehow our conversation turned to traveling. He told me he was taking a group from Spirit of Christ church to Europe to see the Marian shrines. I told him I took groups to Southern Colorado and New Mexico and he said, "If you can get ten persons to join my group you would get a free ride." He also purchased a beautiful scarf for his wife

His comment was all it took for me to find seventeen persons to travel to see the Marian Shrines. In 2008 we visited Portugal, Spain and France and he and his wife were excellent leaders. After our travels it would be a pleasure to see the Deacon and chat with him as he moved about his duties at the church. I joined Spirit of Christ Catholic Community and continued doing pilgrimages to New Mexico. One year the Deacon and his wife  joined me on a trip and I got to know them better.

Today was his funeral and I felt no sadness because in hearing about his life I felt as if Jesus came and took him by the hand to lead him to life eternal. The mass was beautiful with the bishop, four priests and over twelve Deacons dressed in white. What an impressive sight as they as they entered the church two by two.

The homily was presented by a former priest of Spirit of Christ and he talked about dark and light.
When the "punch line" was given, I felt a tremendous sense of peace. Paraphrasing the remarks: When one is going through a dark time, light can shine through when you can look around and see a friend. I looked around and realized I was surrounded by friends. Behind, beside, and in front of me were persons I call my friends. How lucky I felt to be in the light with my friends.

After mass there was a reception where many hugs were exchanged, where we ate delicious food prepared by the Trust Committee, and where we enjoyed the camaraderie of many friends. We got to know the Deacon better as we watched a video showing the Deacon as a young man, getting married, his family, his life as a Deacon, and other parts of his life.

 

Flowers and photos were displayed on a table and these will become the memories of a good man. And, I truly believe the saying, as long as the deceased live in your heart they continue to live.

"Father. in Thy gracious keeping

Leave we now Thy servant sleeping.

From Now the Laborer's Task is O'er

Artsy Gourds

While visiting my daughter in California I saw many of her finished products that she will be taking to the Artistic License Fair in Estancia, California. Every time I see the work my daughter is doing I am more impressed. I took pictures of some of her work but somehow the pictures are not as sharp and colorful as seeing the art creations in person.

There was an unfinished gourd sitting in my daughter's work room and as I looked at the undecorated brownish gourd,  I said, "Is this what we have done to our world?"

"An artist can not fail,

it is a success just to be one."

Charles Horton Cooley

Dreaming of California

I arrived in Orange County Airport in California along with the Santa Anna winds! I had heard of the Santa Anna winds but this was the first time I felt it.  I could feel the dryness especially in my  eyes and throat. Other than that, the weather was warm during the day and by evening it got cool. Seeing my family was the best ever! 

A picnic at Corona Del Rey was fun as I enjoyed the wonderful view and watching people walking their dogs. A favorite spot to watch the sunset and when we left there were more people arriving to wait for the sun to set.

On Sunday we traveled to Dana Point to celebrate my son-in-law's mother 90th birthday. What a beautiful setting in the back yard surrounded by flowers, family and friends! Lobster rolls were catered and everyone enjoyed the food and friendship. A great idea of having the grandchildren write a memorable time with their grandmother was framed and each remembrance became a center piece along with the flowers.

The large lobster bread was a huge success and the hors d'oeuvre tray had many goodies for everyone to nibble! Dessert was our choice of pie; pumpkin, cherry, apple, lemon, Key lime and berry. The birthday lady looks the same as when I first met her many years ago and I wondered what her secret can be that she looks so good!

One day my granddaughter and I took the Metrolink to Los Angeles and if it hadn't been for her I am sure I would have gotten lost! I did notice a lot of graffiti on other trains, on walls and along the river bank. The Los Angeles Union Station is large and beautiful, but there is a lot of construction going on. Someone said Los Angeles is preparing for the Olympics in 2028.   We crossed the street to Olvera Street and I had a feeling I was in Mexico!

We walked to Little Tokyo and enjoyed lunch at Oomasa, a Japanese restaurant. I had chicken teriyaki and she had vegetable rolls. For dessert we ordered green tea ice cream but it did not have enough flavor for me.

We went out to eat a few times and I like the restaurants my family pick because everything is tasty. Hanging around the house was fun and the two dogs love to be petted and will find a hand and stick their head underneath the hand for a long patting session. My daughter worked on gourds for a show that is coming up and then she would go to work at a school where she teaches art. I enjoyed walking to mass with my granddaughter. I love visiting my family and spending time with them. I also enjoy seeing different trees and flowers that I do not see here in Colorado! And also a sign on a post!

"Traveling is not

something you're 

good at. 

It's something

you do. 

Like breathing."

Gayle Foreman