As I get older, I find myself navigating through life wondering things like— “What would Mamá Lala think about this? and How would Mamá Gela have responded to that?

The impact these two women had in my life is very strong. I think about them often and I sometimes wonder if they’re souls have stuck around to help guide the family through different experiences. In any case, and in light of all the crazy, weird, unbalanced times we’re living through, I thought it would be best to honor my family’s matriarchs with a Dia De Los Muertos Altar.

I used natural flowers as well as artificial marigold flowers known in Spanish as Cempasúchil to decorate. I also stuck with classic black and white colors. In order to give this altar the look I was intending, I painted my own paper maché sugar skulls.

I also used the incredible black clay pieces that arrived in my MyCajita box subcription. Plus, I grabbed a lot of my rustic black frames and decor items to decorate. My ofrenda (offering) consisted of bread and fruit. Both of my grandmothers loved fruit. They taught me to enjoy such things as mísperos, holocuates, higos (figs), membrillos (quince), guayábas, chabacános (apricots) and they each had fruit trees in their homes.

I incorporated monarch butterflies since they are believed to hold the spirits of the departed. The belief comes from the fact that the monarchs begin arriving in Mexico for the winter each fall on Nov. 1, which coincides with Dia de los Muertos.

I lit my altar’s candles and shed tears thinking of these two loyal, loving and brave women that gave birth to my parents. Love never dies.

Thanks for reading, friends!

Xo,

-Anabel M.