A Mourning Mom

All Hallows Eve

October 31st is not only Halloween but it also starts the celebration of the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).  The tradition focuses on celebrating and remembering friends and family who have passed away.  Unlike Halloween, the celebration honors those who have died with food, festivities and an elaborate altar.  The observance is on November 1st and 2nd, which coincides with the Catholic All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.  November 1st is for celebrating children and infants who have died.  It is called Dia de los Inocentes (Day of the Innocents) or Dia de los Angelitos (Day of the Little Angels).  November 2nd is for remembering all friends and family no matter what their age.  In some beliefs, it is a three-day holiday beginning on October 31st, All Hallows Eve, when some believe the souls of young children arise at midnight.

I have never made an altar but I am very thankful to one of my close friends who includes Jake and Sawyer’s pictures on her altar.  Maybe one day I will try to make an altar.  There is a part of me that wants to make Halloween (along with all days) extra fun and extra special for the twins because I cannot ever do these things for Jake and Sawyer.  No worries, I do know that the twins deserve fun and extra special just because of themselves.

There is a house in our neighborhood that has crazy blow ups for every holiday.  I try to drive the twins by the house often during Halloween.  Here it is during the day:

Here is the house at night:

And here we are (minus Evan):

Happy Halloween!