One of the things I’ve always adored about the culture of Mexico is their colourful way of dancing with death. The skeleton bride and groom, the fashionista skeleton, all of them, dark-humoured memento moris.
It’s refreshing to me for many reasons, but mostly it’s a poignant way to remember to not take myself too seriously.
I think too, that in Canada and the U.S., we love nothing better than to deny the entire process. We shuffle and hide people away the second they look like they might make that big leap into the great abyss.
We’ve institutionalized every second of the process, from the medicalization of dying to the industrialization of funerals.
Back home, I have a tiny Mexican skeleton that dangles from my desk light. It’s my own quirky reminder.
Each moment counts.
Colleen,
Isn’t there a celebration of the dead, particularly around Hallowe’en?
Instead of our so called Hallowe’en, they celebrate the dead.
We have been in Mexico where we have seen pickup trucks parked at
the cemetaries having a barbeque close to the gravesite of one of their
relatives or loved ones, and having a family dinner party.
That’s right Laurie. I’ve always said that one day I would come to Mexico for a Day of the Dead celebration. It’s been on my list of things to do forever…one of these years!