With each step, I think of loved ones who have passed, as I gather marigolds from my garden, in preparation for Dia de los Muertos.
Marigolds gift hundreds of seeds, and so, I collect them, and plant them year after year…
So that when November 2nd approaches, the garden will be gifting marigolds a plenty…
There are tall huge marigolds, orange, butter bream, canary yellow…
Their scent, acquired, beloved…
So many marigolds everywhere I turn.
Enough to string garlands, and fill vases…
As I do so, I think of Baby, my aunt, great grand-parents, my grandfather on my dad's side…
Last winter I took seeds from the crimson bushes of marigolds at Mombie's, and now, I have my own throughout the garden. I am so thankful for seeds, share a seed, fill your heart…
Crimson, mandarin, gold…
I fill my basket…
Last night I slept with candles, marigolds and thoughts of Baby fluttering about. I played a song I wrote for her, over and over in my head, as I fell asleep…
I think of so many of your loved ones, whose tales you have shared with me, who are no longer with us. And, I can't help but get a tear in my eye…
Then I remind myself, Day of the Dead is a celebration of life…
The beautiful lives of those we love.
I share my offerings (ofrendas) with you today, in that…
If you have a little something to say, about a loved one who has passed, I will print your words out, and fold them up. Tucking them into my little altar…
In celebrattion of life, on this beautiful Dia de los Muertos.
Love, Vanessa
ps: Little video here, with Dia de los Muertos tid-bits.
What a beautiful alter! I would love it if you would tuck a little heart inside for my Nanna Ann and Grandad Bob, just a heart.
Lovely flowers!! Their colours are so beautiful! 🙂
How wonderful! I too have done a little Day of the Dead altar. But, I would love to add my dad’s name to yours if you would be so kind. Warren Adams. He didn’t get to watch me grow up, but I know that he’d be proud of the way I turned out. Thank you so much!
I forgot today was Day of the Dead.
Funny… I’ve been thinking of my MIL all day and missing all of those little things she did that used to drive me bonkers.
Thank you and big hugs, Vanessa.
A beautiful holiday to celebrate. Much love to lost loved ones!
I always think of my grandfather who I never met that was tragically killed in his 40’s, it makes me sad that my nan stayed on her own ever since – now nearly 90. True love. Bless Kenneth Scott. Thank you xxx
If you could add my parents Joe and Kathleen, who died Sept.97 and Nov.99 Both 66years Old. My Mom Missed My Dad so. Now I Miss Both Of Them…EVERY DAY! Bless You Vanessa. You are such a Beautiful Soul! x
Thank you Vanessa. I lost my dad, brother, and nephew within a very short time. All are so missed.
Lisa
Hey Vanessa, this is really beautiful. We just recently lost my Uncle Donald, my cousin Linda, and Uncle Donald’s wife Violet a couple of years before. We also lost our beloved dog Bear two months ago. It would be so kind of you to add them to your altar.
Lots of love,
Jenn
I’m just about to go out & gather marigolds myself. ^-^
I can’t wait to plant the seeds I gather from them in the Spring… but until then, I’ll place them on my little altar & remember my beloved dead.
All year long, I miss two people in particular. My cat, Kyo, and my Aunty Mel. Both died of cancer within four days of each other. 2008 was a hard year…
I would love for their names to be added to your altar. You & Baby are in my thoughts as well. Love & hugs.
XOXO
A very beautiful ofrendas in tributes of lives well lived.
Thank you for celebrating one of Queenie’s favorite holidays.
Have a great day.
Always, Queenie
Vanessa, you have a golden heart xx
So many family, friends and dear pets that I can no longer hold, too many to list.
Please add this note for me..
“I love you always, my shining stars x ”
Thank you so much Vanessa. I need to go find my tissues now xx
Beautiful Vanessa. Thank you for adding my beloved, Dick Lane, to your altar. He became in a star in the sky Feb 12. Then there is Musashi, Rocky, Riley, Quinn … beloved kitties all … up there with my man … purring and loving.
Hugs to you…..
Please put this note on your alter:
Dear Little Honey~
I miss you so much. At first it seemed like you were still around, but now I barely feel you and it hurts to let go.
Oh I know it is late- but could you tuck a note to my beloved fuzzy face girl who was my dear dear baby girl?
I love you and am so thankful that I had such a sassy loving angel airedale to call my own!! I miss you so much! I know you are well and running in fields free of pain and chasing all the bad squirrels! Watch em Tat! Watch em!Tatiana, your Momma loves and misses you!!! Someday we will play again!
(Thanks Vanessa, my dear fuzzy face Airedale passed a few months after Baby did. They are such blessings! It is SOOO hard to let them go!)
Thank you, Vanessa. How generous you are!
I would like to add my mother (who lost her battle with breast cancer 9 years ago) and my step-dad (who lost his battle with colon cancer 11 years ago and whose birthday was yesterday). I love them dearly and miss them every day. But instead of despair over their loss, I choose to celebrate LIFE.
Blessings to you. And continue to spread joy =)
–shelley
Dear V,
It’s amazing how flowers so beautiful and pure can remind us of the ones we love who are no longer with us. If you could put a little something for my great grandmother, who passed away last year, in your altar, I would appreciate it so much.
Thanks for the wonderful inspirations.
Hugs and hexes,
Jessica xoxo
A Woodland Fantasy
Vanessa, your Dia de los Muertos shrine is just beautiful…what a way to celebrate! I love your marigolds that came from Mombies seeds, isn’t it amazing!?! Love all the colors, they make me happy.
Hugs,
Jamie 🙂
This was a beautiful post, and it was so sweet of you to include us all in your altar. I would be so happy if you would include something for our beloved Cuppa Tea, we miss him so much! You are good with words so maybe you could just write something from your heart for him. Thank you Miss V.
Such a wonderful tradition…to honor the lives and memories of our Dear Ones.
Your altar is as gorgeous as your Baby…and as special as the other Family in your heart…
…and as much as you miss them, and are grateful for knowing them….they are just as lucky to have had you in their lives, as well 🙂
I think you are simply magical….
Maw-Maw, Paw-Paw, and Aunt Cille,
I miss and love you dearly. Can’t wait to see you all in heaven.
Thanks for directing my life to the right path.
To my daddy, the best daddy in the whole wide world, I miss you so badly, even though it has been 27 years since you left us. I love you. To my mom, who left this earth unexpectedly on July 16, 1992. I love and miss you. I hope you can see your 2 beautiful granddaughters from up above. Please ask God to help my baby girl Miranda get better, mom and dad. I am scared for her and wish you were here with me.
Thank you for letting me write this, Vanessa.
Dear Vanessa, I have been thinking about you and your sweet Baby, since Halloween.
All the love u put into your garden is such a beautiful tribute. Thank you, for sharing and prayers abound for all souls and especially the ones who are forgotten.
The video is Awesome! <3 😉
What a beautiful Dia de los Muertos altar. And the marigolds, so gorgeous.
Blessings.
When I read your sweet post about those we have lost and loved, my thoughts went immediately to my own father, who passed away in 1997 of cancer. Yes, a celebration of the living…and remembrance of those who were and are so dear to us. A remembrance of those who touched our lives and we will always love and remember.
I say a silent prayer for all of those dear ones who have gone on before us…and I know they are watching over us too.
Peace and love,
Miss Teresa
(I was not on my computer at all yesterday, so I am a day late in posting…and thankfully, everyday is always a remembrance of our loved ones).
Your post did bring tears to my eyes as I read others comments too.
hugs,
me again
Dear Vanessa, it would touch my heart so very deeply for you to include my dear Grandma Grace and my dad and my brother Walter (who passed away long before I was born, at 3 months old; my mom, at 80, grieves still), to your altar. V, Your heart is beautiful and welcoming and your spirit shines. Thank you.
Sis, your cempazuchitl puts mine to shame. I only had one bloom this year… ONE flower.
Feliz dia de los muertos… do you think Baby has met Patch? I miss my spotted dog…
Such a beautiful post to honor those who have passed from this life into another.
Much love to you my Fanciful Friendling, on this lovely November morn.
xoxo Cori
So beautiful. I missed the festivities in Los Angeles this year
so thank you for this lovely representation! Wonderful! 🙂
Oh what a Beautiful Ofrenda Vanessa… some of the full Altar images would make lovely Dia de los Muertos Cards! If you make them into some let me know because the images were captivating to me and a lovely Tribute to your Loved Ones who have passed from Time into Eternity. Dia de los Muertos Celebrations are some of my favorite Celebrations of the year and a rich part of our Culture here in the Southwest… I too left Ofrendas on the Altar for my Dad and a recently passed Fur Baby.
Blessings from the Arizona Desert… Dawn… The Bohemian
Your altar is simply gorgeous, Vanessa. There is something so pure and comforting in marigolds. Their rich bright color definitely symbolizes life. This was a beautiful tribute. xoxo