Last night Jakey left two pieces of Halloween candy in the bag for the Book Elf, which reminded me of a recent story:
Spanish-immersion kindergarten brings a lot of new vocabulary and worksheets and cultural opportunities into our world. This year it was a hands-on, speed course in El Día de Los Muertos or the Mexican tradition of the Day of the Dead. Somehow in all my years of Spanish class collage projects and book reports and novios, I never fully experienced this unique cultural tradition. I really love the sentiment as it’s about remembering and honoring one’s friends, family, and ancestors that have passed away.
So this year in Jake’s class we donated $2 so he could decorate a sugar skull. That night he came home and spent five minutes confusing his dad about wanting to build something. Having benefited from the retelling of this story, later that night it only took me two tries to figure out what he was talking about when he said, “Mom, Mom. I need to build an otter.” Of course he likes to propose these types of projects at 8:30pm.
I help him to quickly assemble his “altar” which he thoughtfully dedicates to my maternal grandmother, Sweetie. The foundation of the altar begins with our two large Sterilite tubs of blocks, crowned with our orange bean bag pouf. Carefully placed on top are a bowl of salt (and I quote: “in case she wants to take a bath”), the sugar skull on a plate, a couple of battery-operated tea lights, a handmade crepe paper flower, a framed picture of Sweetie’s whole family at Flatrock, a cup of water, and a plate with several pieces of Halloween candy JJ carefully unwraps.
Jake is now appeased and climbs into bed without further protest.
Meanwhile I’m doing the final nighttime routine of checking the locks and turning off the lights and I’m struck with a dilemma: Is El Día de Los Muertos like Santa Claus? In the morning, should there be nibbles out of the candy and telltale boot prints?
Being unfamiliar with Los Muertos etiquette and too tired to google it, I genuflect respectfully to the otter and go to bed.
The next morning Jakey gets up bright and early and makes a beeline for the living room. He returns excitedly, “Sweetie’s spirit came!! Her spirit came! And she drank some of the water because she was thirsty!”
The following week I have the opportunity to discreetly ask my friend Alma about the proper etiquette. She assures me that the spirits don’t leave cookie crumbs and milk rings. I’m glad I passed the test of my first Día de Los Muertos and am genuinely thrilled that my grandmother stopped by.
I just wish she would have eaten more of the Halloween candy… luckily the Book Elf did.
Jacob looking appropriately contemplative as he kneels at his Día de Los Muertos otter…. I mean altar.