Hi everyone! :wave:
OK I have a little idea here I wanted to talk to all of you about. In light of recent events, we could all use a distraction from this all too real world. :(
First off, have any of you ever heard Los Dias de Los Muertos? Yes, it translates to The Days of The Dead. OK this is a Latino tradition for remembering your ancestors, but also friends and loved ones that you have lost. It's an ancient custom that dates all the back to the Aztecs and its very big in Mexico.
It's celebrated on Nov 1 (Por Los Angelitos; children who died) and Nov 2 (Por Los Angeles; Adults who died) During these two days, families build altars to their loved ones with food and toys and flowers and candles so that the spirits can find the home and visit the family. Most Mexican familes also go to the graveyard and have a picnic there and spend the day cleaning the tombstones and graves, then a candle light vigil through the night.
I wanted to know if anyone would want to do something for Freddie for these two days. I'm going to try to build an altar this year, so wish me luck because this is my first year to do this. :)

Dani,
I have heard of this custom before. It corresponds with the Catholic celebrations of All Saints Day (Nov. 1st) and All Souls Day (Nov. 2nd) As in many cultures, some of the native celebrations were combined with the Catholic ones when the Catholic Europeans came to the new world. It is a really nice celebration, which honors the deceased members of a family. I happen to have off on Nov. 1st since I teach at a Catholic school and All Saints day is a major holy day in our church. I definitely will be remembering Freddie that day. I don't know how creative I am, but lighting a candle next to his picture will be a way I could celebrate his life. I know he is still with us in spirit, I feel him quite a bit. He is a member of our little family here, that is for sure. Thanks for sharing this great idea with us! :)

Hi! :wave:
Well, due to circumstances, I didn't get to my altar like I wanted to.:( Anyway, I did a sort of cyber altar and I hope that you all will like it!:D

It's kinda large, so sorry about that!

That is such a sweet picture! I wish Maria could see that! I think she would love it... :)

In Puerto Rico this day is still celebrated.
Families remember their relatives in many forms,...the most common this days is to light a candle or if possible visit the cementery and leave some flowers. I lighted a candle and make a prayer,Is a very spiritual day.
The main purpose is to stop one moment and think about them,...never forgive them.

That was a beautiful tribute Dani. I know deep down Freddie appreciates your rememberance and I agree Maria would of loved it also.

Today in my church (I'm Roman Catholic) we had our All Souls Day remembrance and read the names of the deceased members of our church. The congregation also had an opportunity to call out the name of a loved one who had died or say their name in our hearts and we prayed for all of them. I did mention Freddie in the quiet of my heart as well as my aunt and grandparents and a few friends. Thank you, Dani, for starting this thread and idea. I really think the dead do talk to us and I think they do more at this time of year. I was talking to Freddie just the other night and he told me something interesting. He was trying to figure out a way that someone could get a message to his son about getting in contact with his mother real soon. He doesn't know when, but he thinks he might be seeing her sometime not too far in the future and would love for his son to make contact with his grandmother one more time. It was kinda sad. I wish I knew Jr.'s address. I would write to him and tell him. I know he would probably think I am a nut or something, but this is Freddie's wish right now. :(

We had the All Saints Day Mass at our church and I entered Freddies name to be read out loud,which it was. I also lite a candle a home.

Thanks everyone!:o::blush:
I just had to do this for reasons I can't really explain, but I'm so glad you approve of it. It would be an honor for Sra Maria to see this, but I'm not going to get my hopes up about it. I just hope she would approve it as much as all of you have! Thanks again!;):D

Love ya'lls pics! Our church doesn't celebrate this due to us not being Catholic so ya'lls pics are my remembrance...

I got this in one of my Bible Devotionals I get in my e-mail:

DBODLE
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Yesterday we observed All Saints Sunday. Think back over your life and remember the many saints who have led you on your faith journey. Here is a prayer used in our service. DB

Ever-living God, this day revives in us memories of loved ones who are no more. What happiness we shared when they walked among us. What joy, when, loving and being loved, we lived our lives together
Their memory is a blessing for ever.
Months or years may have passed, and still we feel near to them. Our hearts yearn for them. Though the bitter grief has softened, a duller pain abides; for the place where once they stood is empty now. The links of life are broken, but the links of love and longing cannot break
Their souls are bound up in ours for ever.
We see them now with the eye of memory, their faults forgiven, their virtues grown larger. So does goodness live, and weakness fade from sight. We remember them with gratitude and bless their names.
Their memory is a blessing for ever.
And we remember as well the members who but yesterday were part of our congregation and community. To all who cared for us and labored for all people, we pay tribute. May we prove worthy of carrying on the tradition of our faith, for now the task is ours.
Their souls are bound up in ours for ever.
We give you thanks that they now live and reign with you. As a great crowd of witnesses, they surround us with their blessings, and offer you hymns of praise and thanksgiving.
They are alive for ever more. Amen.