{ Feature }
The way we
Remember Altars celebrate the lives of loved ones On Dia de Los Muertos
Story and photos by Felicia Frazar
I
leen Rangel smiles as she points toward a Christmas headband with the Nativity set on top. The accessory sits in a jar of silk colorful flowers surrounded by photos and a collection of specifically selected items on an oferenda in Rangel’s home. It is Rangel’s first time creating an altar for Dia de los Muertos, and she is doing so in honor of her mother, who died earlier this year. “She loved Christmas, so I bought a 14 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
little headband that has the Nativity set on it,” she said. Rangel struggles with the loss of her mother, and has found creating the altar helps bring back wonderful memories. “It helps you putting the things out that she loves,” she said. “I think this soothes your soul, because you’re really just lost. I don’t want her to ever be forgotten, or my dad. My dad died when I was 15.” “Nobody is really gone if there is
somebody left to remember you,” her sister-in-law Cindy Rangel reminded her. With Cindy’s help, Ileen built her first oferenda in her family’s living room. It is adorned with items that remind her of her mother, including a small porcelain set of mariachi singers. “She loved beautiful things and fun things,” Ileen said. “It is a huge hole that is not as hard to get past when you are surrounded with her stuff. I have her ashes there on her altar. I’ve been
