Día de los Muertos is a Spanish holiday celebrated mainly in Mexico and by people of Mexican heritage living in the United States, like myself.  The holiday focuses on the gathering of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and relatives who have died. The celebration occurs on the 1st and 2nd of November, in connection with the Catholic holy days of All Saints Day and All Souls Day which take place on those days.

My family celebrates this holiday by visiting the graves of our deceased friends and family members.  We honor them with such gifts as their favorite foods and beverages, flowers, photographs and of course homemade sugar skulls.  To some this might seem a little strange but to us, it is our way to celebrate the lives of our loved ones who have left us.  It is also a way for us to spend some quality time together sharing and building memories.