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Recipe for remembrance

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Joycee WongJoycee Wong has this follow-up to her post last month about Dia de los Muertos, its uses, you might say, and its importance. And with Thanksgiving next week, it speaks to us on several other levels, too. (CR)

Ingredients:
1 large pumpkin
2 cups of cultural resources
1 quart willingness
3 pints adventuresome spirit
2 hours of creativity

Directions:
Put all ingredients into a large stock pot and boil away all sadness. Stir in generous amount of laughter and happy memories, add dashes of hope. Continue process until all prayers are received. Gently fold in faith and love. Serve warm with heartfelt welcome to All Souls (those departed and those with us today).

A year ago, I was inspired to learn more about Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) as way to connect the past (of my deceased loved ones) to the present (in my way of remembering them). I discovered many fascinating traditions observed on this special holiday in Mexican families, considered to be one of the most important holidays of the year. It is also observed in other Central and South American cultures, as well as in countries and regions with large populations of Latinos. I was spellbound by the rituals, such as building elaborate altars of the deceased, decorating them with colorful catrinas (skeleton sculpture) or papeles picados (paper skeleton), sugar skulls, marigolds, pictures, toys, candles, religious artifacts or other mementos.

Like the Chinese honoring the deceased during Qing Ming Festival, Dia de los Muertos is a time for remembering and honoring the dead, a joyous celebration with family and food and festive spirit, not a gloomy or scary time. As in the Chinese tradition, food also plays an important role — from the famous pan de muertos (bread for the dead) to other ofrenda (offerings to the deceased, such as their favorite food and beverage).

So this past October, I decided to observe this holiday in my own home, using food as a link to past and present. Initially, I thought to make the pan de muertos, but decided to create a more simple food offering instead: candied pumpkin.

Candied Pumpkin! (Click for larger image in a new window)What fun it was to cook something as a labor of love, and experimenting with cultural traditions from a different heritage! The recipe seemed pretty straight forward but the process was more time-consuming and involved than I anticipated. Having never cooked a pumpkin from scratch before, just cutting it was challenging! Luckily, my Chinese cleaver knife came in handy.

Next, after chopping the pumpkin into 1 inch pieces (boy, that took a long time), they all went into a stock pot along with additional flavorings of cinnamon, orange, and brown sugar. My pumpkin simmered well beyond 2 hours before it thickened to the right consistency. Gingerly, I picked the nicest pieces of candied pumpkin and placed onto a special heart-shaped platter I selected for my Remembrance Ritual.

Earlier in the week, I had asked family and friends if they had any deceased loved ones they would like me to honor on their behalf for Dia de los Muertos. I was touched that 10 people responded and gave me names, to be included with my own family’s. I printed their names onto heart-shaped “flags” that I inserted into the candied pumpkin. Mini candles and bud-vases of flowers surrounded the platter to create a special praying altar. And while I could not physically celebrate with my family and friends at all the gravesites of their departed loved ones in the tradition of Dia de los Muertos, I was able to create a virtual “community of celebrants.”

That night, with flickering candles and a quiet heart filled with gratitude, I gazed upon all the written names being honored and meditated on how much meaning each person has added to our lives, the lessons they’ve taught us, and the gift of their time with us on this earth, knowing that even now, in remembering who they are, we are still connected in spirit.

For over an hour, I prayed for each of the deceased I was honoring from my own family and those of my friends. It was a deep and sweet experience that will stay with me forever. Sometimes, when we try something new to carry out an intention from our hearts, it creates something truly special.

A special altar (Click for larger image in a new window)I invite you to try this “recipe of remembrance” as a way to celebrate Dia de los Muertos, no matter what your cultural background. This year, to honor the 5th anniversary of my Mom’s passing, I will create a special altar with the resources I found. You can too with either a simple altar or a more elaborate altar. I might even try making a papel picado. While the official date for Dia de los Muertos was November 1st to honor angelitos (souls of children), and November 2nd to honor souls of adults, you can use these inspirations to honor your departed loved ones any time of year.

And with Thanksgiving coming up, you can add a new tradition of giving thanks to — and with — your ancestors.


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