the golden light of autumn
falls on the last blooming flowers of summer.
not just any flowers....cempasuchil,
flowers of the dead.
yellow orange marigolds used in mexico to lay a trail
of bright colour and pungent aroma
so loved ones can navigate back to this world,
and most importantly to the
homes and families of their loved ones.
before we begin sharing our traditions
i want to reach out to you all.
past all distance and the demands of any given day...
before our hands begin stirring and baking, releasing
the aromas of comfort food to nourish the souls of our travelers,
before we gather flowers,
cherish pictures of those that have filled our lives,
before we light candles...
and copal incense lifts our prayers
before someone picks up a guitar
and plays the one song that will cut straight to our hearts
i want to be with you....
in quiet solitude,
just to catch our breath.
to simply be...
and recognize our place in the mystery of it all.
treasure all those
who have graced our lives with their own courage and verve.
to reaffirm the promise to live life fully,
straight from our hearts, boldly, with great unending passion,
one full day at a time.
thank you for your place in my heart and this ethereal connection we
share so vitally in the blogsphere.
i invite you to return each sunday in october to
share your unique stories, memories, and preparations for
dia de los muertos.
i hope by sharing our preparations and enthusiasm for
dia de los muertos
many more will be encouraged to begin this great tradition of
honoring.
please join us
oct. 1 & 2
as our preparations
culminate in a blog tradition
this year hosted at
and
recuerda mi corazon
thank you for joining in and linking back to
recuerda mi corazon
so, like following the bright marigolds of the season,
others can navigate back with ease and join
our celebrations!
I'm so delighted to participate in this collective sharing of Dia de los Muertos memories. Your images are so vivid, Rebecca, and bring back such glorious memories from our visits to Oaxaca. I'll be in New Mexico next weekend, but look forward to catching up with everyone who is part of this exciting event upon my return.
Posted by: Dawn Elliott | October 02, 2011 at 08:11 AM
You write everything so eloquently-fully capturing the emotional essence within our hearts. You create words just as beautifully as you create images.
Posted by: Paula Scott: Molokai Girl Studio | October 02, 2011 at 09:49 AM
This will be my first year participating in dia de los muertos celebration. Thank you for this. I have gathered some things and my shrine has begun. Looking forward to sharing with you.
love
x
Posted by: gemma | October 02, 2011 at 01:12 PM
This is my first time participating in your Day of the Dead celebration. I'm so excited to be here, and to visit everyone!
Posted by: Pam | October 02, 2011 at 04:03 PM
I am joining in.. albeit a day late.. just have to find [read unpack] some things...
and I wish, wish.. that we lived near each other.. I would love to be in your angelic peaceful prescence.. thank YOU for being part of my life xoxo
ps - my celebration will be a little different to those in the north of our world... i cannot find the flowers to bring my ancestors here.. so it will be memories, love and whatever flowers I can find :) xo - but lots of candles oh yes!
Posted by: Miss Robyn | October 02, 2011 at 04:14 PM
Hello Rebecca and Stephanie. Joining in your Day of the Dead celebration for the first time, too. Rebecca and all of your dear followers, wish you could join me in Longmont for my Day of the Dead altar unveiling next Wednesday, October 12th.
Posted by: Laurie Zuckerman | October 02, 2011 at 06:03 PM
I am having mucho camera problems today, but I'm hopefully going to post something soon. Thanks for your beautiful, inspiring words and your generosity in hosting us.
Posted by: Fran aka Redondowriter | October 02, 2011 at 07:54 PM
I posted my Los Dias article from the road and didn't get much time for visiting others until this morning.
Thankm you again for the invite and for hosting this magnificent event. This celebration is close to my heart, as you know, and I cherish the opportunity to be able to share it with all my heart with others.
I love the marigolds and will have many here during this month in preparation for November 1st.
Peace
Posted by: Spadoman | October 04, 2011 at 04:26 AM
those blossoms. the color just radiates light in dark places...
Posted by: leslie | October 04, 2011 at 07:59 AM
These blooms make my pulse race...beautiful images to bind us all together.
x..x
Posted by: Stephanie | October 04, 2011 at 10:33 AM
Between your brilliant prose and photographs, you transport me to another place. I am thinking of India....so many of the Hindi rites incorporate marigolds....there is no more beautiful color in the world. Your lens captures it as intense as it is....your sunset photographs are simply beautiful. I will enjoy reading what others have posted.
smiles: sharon
Posted by: sharon furner | October 04, 2011 at 04:30 PM
A Beautiful post filled with inspiration and goodness!! THank you for all you do lovely!
xox
Constance
Posted by: rochambeau | October 05, 2011 at 06:29 AM
Such a beautiful post Rebecca... Your words really touched me. =)
Rosie
Posted by: Rosie | October 06, 2011 at 06:08 AM