HelloAgain

Childhood memories

What are the earliest memories that you are able to remember?  The earliest smells that as a child made you feel inspired, or filled your heart with joy? 

Me?  I remember Kindergarten class and the unforgettable smell of crayons! I remember the feeling of excitement about learning something new, and making new friends.  The thrill of coloring pages! The feeling that all I had to worry about was to be me, and to have fun in the moment.  No other earthly worries would ever make un-invited visits to my young mind. No worries at all.  Not even the fear of coloring outside the lines. The more colors and lines, the better!  Although I did seem to keep some kind of order in those earlier art works.

Ah, what a difference a few decades can make…

But I do still love the smell of crayons!  Those things that I remember about that little 4 or 5 year old me are certainly a fundamental part of the adult in me.

How about you, what are your earliest memories? 

 

Day of the Dead, the art of remembering.

Mexico celebrates the Day of the Dead on November 1 and 2; and in the world of some of my favorite blogs, the holiday is just getting started!!  In these days, a combination of art, folklore, color and loving memories are used to craft special "ofrendas" for loved ones.

The best part of this tradition is the fact that while you are spending the time to decorate, or put together this fun little corner of remembrance, you are forced to pause for a bit from the noise of the every day life.  You are forced to make the time to sit and visit with the memories of the people you love.  It's a little like making a long-distance call to heaven for the evening. 

It's something we do for ourselves, mostly.  But it is certainly a lot deeper than just for entertainment and art purposes.  It is a moment of commemoration, remembrance, and love.      

Happy All Soul's Day today and tomorrow! 

I am participating today in the Dia de Bloglandia 2011.  This is an event put together by Rebecca of Recuerda Mi Corazon and Stephanie of the Mango Studio.   Please go see their gorgeous ofrendas  this year as well as other fabulous works by other paticipants, please visit their pages by clicking on these links.