25/10/2023
I've always loved learning about my ancestors.Like most kids, I always wanted to sit in on the adult conversations and listen to their stories. (The story about the horse thief whose nose was cut off as he fled across the Mexican border always intrigued me...and ensured I never tried to steal horses!)
When my sister married an awesome man from Mexico and later moved to Mexico City, I started to learn more about the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Mu***os) celebrations. I knew this was my kind of holiday!
Then when I saw a quote from an article by Emory University about kids being more resilient when they knew their family stories, I was hooked. (I'll try and find the article and post it later).
So here's what I've decided to try all these years later:
-I bought a journal and started writing down the stories I remember about my life. They aren't in any order, just whatever comes to mind when I sit down to write.
-Since I already spend time on the website, I decided to collect pics and stories and print them out. Not sure how I'll organize them yet so let me know if you have any ideas.
-I may make an ofrenda this year if I can get my act together. Maybe one of my favorite sisters who happens to live in Mexico and has her own design business will hook me up :) did the print pictured above! Isn't she so talented!
-Lastly, and probably the hardest on my list, is to start using stories to help my kids deal with challenges. If one of my kids decides to become a horse thief I'll tell them the hazards of the profession based on the story of my ancestor. That should do the trick!
Any other ideas? Day of the Dead is November 2, everyone! Who's going to celebrate with me?
'mlearningalongtheway
