Day of the Dead was Celebrated in February this year
We laughed. The kind of laughter that brings tears to your eyes and you can’t stop. Then we cried as we remembered our loss. This was a night to commemorate a beautiful spirit. Our sister. Our sister who lived life on her own terms. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Six months since the loss. How could it already be six months?
During a full moon, a lunar eclipse, and yes even a comet, the two remaining sisters would celebrate her life. The three events seemed appropriate for the three sisters. Dia de Los Muertas, Day of the Dead, usually celebrated on October 31 was scheduled now because it felt like the right time. Living in New Mexico, we have become familiar with this Mexican tradition. Our sister loved to read about it and talk about it even though our family was not Mexican and we had never celebrated it. It doesn’t matter really. Each remaining sister had been trying to grieve on their own. Now we would celebrate her life together in a manner we thought she would love.
In Dia de Los Muertas tradition, we brought food that she liked, poured shots of her favorite drinks and set a place for her at the table. While we ate, stories came out bringing the laughter and the tears. Stories of good times and adventures. Stories of sad times and pain. Later, to take advantage of the full moon, we moved our gathering outside. Music, a roaring fire in the fire pit, a tambourine, a singing bowl. All needed to celebrate a beautiful soul’s life. A “Yaya Sisterhood” version of Dia de Los Muertas we called it. After six months of holding on, a time of letting go. We danced and sang and drummed and laughed and cried. Finally, we toasted her and each drank of the shots we had set aside for her. We know she was there with us. We know she is with us in spirit and hope that we have given her peace by our actions. We will be okay. We miss you sister.