Grave Yards, Tears, Altars and Unforgettable Memories

Brenda Araisa
September 21,2010
ESL 100
Grave Yards, Tears, Altars and Unforgettable Memories.
Despite the fact that I was born in Chicago, when I turned four, my family decided that I was going to be raised in Mexico. As I was growing up in Morelia, Michoacán Mexico, my family taught me the significance of one of the most important cultural customs during the month of October. They always taught me the importance of celebrating The Day of the Dead, a special day in which we remember our family members that unfortunately have passed away. After almost seven years of living in Mexico, my family made the decision to come back to the United States. The result of coming back to the United States has changed many aspects of celebrating the Day of the Dead, but I have learned to never let the spirit of this day vanish.

Day of the Dead has always been a day to respect and cherish for my family. Before I lived in Mexico, I used to live in an American suburb of Chicago in which there were not many Mexican people. During the first and second day of October, my mother, used to get very upset. She could not believe that the people around the neighborhood and in the United States took these days as a regular day. She thought that it was disrespectful to forget about the people that we have lost. One year, when Halloween came, my mom received a note from my preschool teacher. The note said that I was supposed to wear a costume for the next day, but my mom refused to buy me one. She didn’t believe in Halloween. I was sent to school without a costume while everyone in my classroom was wearing one. The teacher thought that my family could not afford to buy one and decided to make me one out of a garbage bag and construction paper. When it was time for my mom to pick me up from school, I did not remember that she did not like Halloween, and when she saw me, she was disappointed. Ever since then, I always remember my mom’s expression and every Halloween I tried to please her by not dressing up.

During the time I was living in Mexico my family taught me the importance of the cemetery altar, which we created each year for Day of the Dead. My family and I would begin our day by waking up early throughout the first and second day of October. We would go to the cemetery with brooms, candles, and arrangements of flower. When we arrived at the cemetery, we would do a small prayer for the people that we have lost and sing sad songs along with the Mariachi. After that we would begin cleaning our family graves while dropping a few tears. Most of the people would remain in the cemetery throughout the day and sometimes decided to spend the night in the cemetery drinking. Others, like my family and me, decided to go home after cleaning the stones to continue with the traditional activities. Even though this October I will not be able to attend the cemetery alters, I will be going to church with my family in the afternoon. Also, I will be attending a Hallowing house party with my closes fiends, while the rest of the memories will remain in my heart

In consideration of the people that we have lost, Day of the Dead was a holiday off for everyone in Mexico. One reason for this was that at home and in school we were taught to value and respect this day. Instead of attending school or work, we would have family gatherings at home. We would attend the cemetery and after that we would go to church. Participating in the church activity was important because, it was a sign of affection and respect for the people that we had lost. After church, we would go home and begin building the family altars. The family altars were important because we believe their soul would come back at night and see what we had prepared for them. The family alters include their pictures, flowers, candles and their favorite food. Another important thing that, the altars would include was, a small sugar skull which represented the person that we had lost. This October, my family and I will not be doing the family alters because we will be busy with our daily routines, but we will be having a family dinner in my uncles house were all my family members that are in Chicago will attend



My family has taught me the value of embracing this traditional cultural day. My preschool memory will always be present during Halloween. When I was young, I was not so sure why my mom did not like Halloween, but after living the experiences of Day of the Dead in Mexico it began to make sense to me. Coming back to the United States has changed many aspects of this traditional day. For instance, this October I will not be able to attend the cemetery alters ceremony and it makes me feel uncomfortable, but I will never forget the feeling of being there. Also, I will not be able to have the day off or make the family altars, but I will be attending church in the afternoon. I hope that in the future, I get the chance to attend the cemetery ceremony, and the family reunions that we used to have in Mexico.