Halloween, the Day of the Dead, and beyond

Friendly "trick-or-treaters" to our house



Halloween.... that word brings back happy, childhood memories for me. I remember gathering with friends and family in our neighborhood, and going door to door "TRICK OR TREAT"-- we chanted, and just hoped for some good treats. For years and years, we followed this tradition, and never felt any evil in what we were doing. I remember sitting in the middle of our living room floor, seeing who got the best treats, and trying to trade off a bag of popcorn for a candy bar.... Any of you remember those times?
Things are quite different around Mexico. For 3 consecutive days, people are celebrating the "Dia de los Muertos" or "Day of the Dead". Stores are decorated, homes are decorated inside and out, and all types of things are being sold in the stores to celebrate this well-known "ritual".
A little bit of history from a Mexican website.... "More than 500 years ago, when the Spanish Conquistadors landed in what is now Mexico, they encountered natives practicing a ritual that seemed to mock death. It was a ritual the indigenous people had been practicing at least 3,000 years... It is celebrated differently depending on where you go. In the larger cities, families build altars in their houses and outside, dedicating them to the dead. They surround these altars with flowers, food and pictures of the deceased. They light candles and place them near the altars."

Last night, we had "trick or treaters", young and old. There were at least 30 who came and shouted "Queremos Halloween" or "We want Halloween (candy, to be exact). For the next 2 nights, we'll have more trick or treaters... it's a 3-day festivity! I wasn't prepared last night with candy, so I was scrounging around the pantry to find things to give out. I think I'll go out today to buy more candy so I'll be prepared. I am also going to pass out the Gospel of John and just PRAY that someone will read it and their life be changed. Pray for that, okay? Thanks!



A part of the "Dia de los Muertos" decoration.

Sawdust art made to celebrate the day.

Older "trick-or-treaters"

Hope we have lots of "visitors" tonight.. we went to Wal-Mart and loaded up!