I am fascinated with cultural traditions, especially those that involve faith and spirit. I think it is wonderful to believe that we can be united with our deceased loved ones, even if just for a moment.

Last October, I was visiting the Tucson Botanical Gardens and came across the most intriguing altar. It was adorned with flowers, candles, photographs, rosaries, crucifixes, sugar skulls, light strands, and bright linens. The gardens had left post-it notes, inviting visitors to leave a note to a deceased loved one. It was near the the time of the Mexican celebration of the Day of the Dead. Tucson celebrates this day over an entire weekend, with an All Souls Procession, Procession of Little Angels, a Night of the Living Fest, costumes, and music.

Dia de los Muertos, is celebrated in central and southern Mexico, beginning at midnight on October 31. It is believed that at that exact time, the gates of heaven open and the spirits of all deceased children are reunited with their families for 24 hours. On November 2, the spirits of the adults come down to enjoy the festivities that are prepared for them.

These preparations might include lavish altars made in homes with candles, water, fruits, toys, cocoa, and folk art skulls. I imagine they look like the altar that I saw at the gardens. Sugar skulls also adorn the altars as a sweet treat for the returning spirits to enjoy. Families can spend up to two month’s salary to honor their dead relatives, believing they provide protection, wisdom, and good luck. It is deeply meaningful celebration, often including a procession and party in a cemetery.

The sugars skulls, with their happy smiles and brightly colored decorations represent the departed soul in a positive manner. I thought the skulls were super, so I decided to make one in mixed media. Background papers are playful and add sentiments. I added a cross for faith, a heart for love, two suns shine at the top, candy corn and flowers adorn.

As I created my skull, I could not avoid thinking of my niece, Jordan, who died of cancer in 2014. She was a vibrant teenager, super sociable, full of life, and she loved sugar, just like the rest of us. At her celebration of life (because who wants to call it a funeral?) everyone was asked to wear bright colors. Jordan was born on the 17th day of August. She died on the 17th of December. On the 17th day of the many months since her death, we often run into someone named Jordan, or meet someone that looks like her, or get a reminder of her, in some way shape or form, that tells us her spirit is alive and well in Heaven. 17 has become a lucky and meaningful number for our family. Superstitious or not, the little things like this, and the more spectacular, like Dia de los Muertos, keep us connected.