Tata

The time of year for celebrating Dia de los Muertos is in October and can lead into November. I was prompted to dig further into this subject from a post created by @maverickinvictus, here. He talked about watching the Disney movie Coco.

Honestly, I had never heard of the movie but I have heard and celebrated Dia de los Muertos many times. You see, my grandmother had been married to a Mexican man and although he was my step-grandfather he was my grandfather nonetheless.

^{Tata and I.}

The name we use for grandfather is "Tata," and he was special. He loved to tell me stories but what he was most proficient at was being my protector. If anyone caused me harm he was right there like a flash telling whomever to back off.

He would make the best breakfast I have ever had in my life and to this day I can smell the best cooking in the synopsis of my memory. Not only that but I can still hear him singing his old mariachi songs and delivering food with love.

Tata would tell the story of coming from a small town outside of Tijuana, Mexico and would sing for money to take home to his family. He would often get beat so bad for not making enough money that he decided to make it on his own at the very young age of 8 years old.

He would always say, "I am not an educated man but I know a little something." Even though he never had proper schooling, he certainly did know a few things. One of Tata's vices was to play the horses and he won two houses and three cars with the winnings. I'm not sure I have ever met someone as lucky as him in gambling.

Nana, which is our family name for grandmother was more stern in nature and kind of sourly until she turned 80 years old. Until then, Tata had always been the nurturer and watched all the kids and grandkids during the day and worked at night.

He cleaned Greyhound buses for over 35 years in order to take care of his family, and Nana was a bookkeeper for a fashion boutique in San Francisco. Tata may not have made a huge change in society but he certainly made our lives richer by his presence in our life.

By the time Tata started to become afflicted with Alzheimer's Disease he told us he did not want to live. More or less he would try to kill himself until he finally succeeded by throwing himself down the stairs upon his second try during a rare moment of lucidity.

The Native American part of my soul respects his choice to end his life and if he were on Native lands many older ones take their blanket, maybe a gun and their knife and walk out into the sunset. That sounds romantic but in reality it is giving one a choice to die in dignity. If that is their choice.

My heart still breaks for the pain my Tata underwent during his last years on earth. I find comfort knowing he is at peace and has moved on.

All of the above writing led me to how Mexican culture celebrates death and life during an event called Dia de Los Muertos.

Dia de los Muertos for Tata

If you do not know what the memorial holiday consists of, it is a celebration for those that have died. Many from Mexico and all over the world come together by bringing food, flowers, photos, dancing and singing for the life that is not completely gone but lives on.

These photos that I took from the celebration for Tata was my memorial and Dia de los Muertos for his physical life that changed to death and then transcended back to soul life.

Throughout the celebration the marigold is a symbol of the fragility of life and is said to attract souls to the celebration. Food is prepared for the souls of those that have passed. Alcohol and cigarettes may be placed on the alter if the person had enjoyed these luxuries.

If you see a sugar skull, these are a representation of the departed soul and typically the name is carved into the skull.

The children usually gather around to create gifts for the deceased to place on the alter or on the tables.

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The paper crafts are usually skeletons and decorated to reflect Mexican culture.

As you can see, everyone takes part in the giving and remembrance of those we loved. It is not only one person but many, and this is a yearly tradition.

There is a mariachi band that sings old traditional music, and connects us with those we loved. I heard many songs that I grew up with and those that Tata would sing to me. It was very emotional but lovely just the same.

There are dancers throughout the night and I caught these ladies just as they were about to enter the building. They were kind enough to pose for me in their traditional dress.

The men did not mind stopping to smile and take a photo for me too!

According to some historians, the tradition of Dia de los Muertos is over 3,000 years old and is said to have derived from an ancient Aztec goddess by the name of Lady of the Dead. The Lady kept watch over the bones. Over time this tradition became known as a celebration to bring the living and dead together for a day of feasting, music, and remembrance. The name changed but the sentiment remained the same.

All traditional singing and dancing is done to honor the dead soul and welcome souls as they come to visit on their memorial day.

The celebration while somber is alive and filled with happiness. People are friendly and smiling because this is a day that everyone is together again.

Children are not kept out of the dancing celebration and are very much a strong part of honoring the dead. These two were my absolute favorite and took their job very seriously. Can you see the look on their baby faces? I just adored them.

During this celebration I was very emotional but I still took great appreciation in the love and care that was taken and this was a glorious day for my Tata's Dia de los Muertos. The colors brought so much life to the occasion as well as the food, children, and people.

Each dance brought a renewed faith that Tata was in a good place and he was at peace. Life does go on and Tata had transcended. I learned a great lesson, in that it is better for all to let go, but overall there is nothing wrong with celebrating someone's human life that has passed too.

I'm not sure if you can see this beautiful little baby girl, but she really helped me to see that life is beautiful and the innocence of babies is what makes life on earth worth every moment. Life does go on.

Tata would have been so very happy to know that everyone who thought of him during his passing was celebrating, he was a person that loved to have a good time, laugh, and help others.

This post is dedicated to my dear Tata Trinidad, you are remembered and loved always and forever.

Yours, Sasa