Day of the Dead Terlingua-Style

I am tired this morning.

Day of the Dead celebration was yesterday at the Terlingua ghost town cemetery.

It's quite the event here ... huge altars are constructed and decorated by the locals who bring photos and favorite foods and mementoes of deceased loved ones. Incense and marigolds, sugar skulls and candles are everywhere.

Even though Dia de los Muertos is typically a Hispanic event, in Terlingua it's a community celebration for every imaginable nationality and background. Everyone brings food and beer and local musicians perform. Folks bring their lawn chairs and ice chests, so they can sit back and enjoy the evening's stories and camaraderie.

It's beautiful after sunset with glittering candles on every grave against the backdrop of adobe ruins and mountains. Incense is in the air and marigolds decorate the fence, graves and altars. The scene is warm and orange from firelight and marigolds.

There's lots of laughter and music, sometimes tears. Most folks gravitate to the huge campfire to tell stories. The town has had a colorful history; many 'characters' have lived here (and lots still do!), so most all the stories about those who've gone on before us are funny and touching.

I stayed until 10 pm, and there were still lots of people there. It's like a big reunion; folks who've moved away come back for this event and everyone has a great time telling stories about those who've gone on.

It's a wonderful and emotional event, as well as a yearly tribute to those friends and relatives we dearly miss.