Today is Day of the Dead, a celebration of ancestors by Mexicans, Native Americans, Chicanos and many other cultures. Although hyped up in North America, I don't think there's really any special hoodoo-voodoo about Day of the Dead that people should be afraid of. It's simply a day to lift up the living memory of your family members and friends who have passed on and to celebrate their ongoing presence with you throughout your life. It's a celebration that mocks death because death can never have the final word.Someday I hope to be able to come up with a more complete list of my ancestors (especially those on my Mom's side), but these are some of my folks I am remembering today.
Presente:
Joey Andes (cousin) c. 1969-2007
Vaughn Procter II (Uncle Vaughn) c.1940-2004
Vaughn Proctor (grandfather) c.1920-2004
Antonia Gallegos (Gram Toni - grandmother) c.1909-2002
Beki Fuch (Aunt Beki) c.1947-2000
Beatrice Kadau (Bambea - grandmother) c. 1922-1977
Jack Kadau (step-grandfather) c.1912-1973
Rex Gallegos (dad) c.1938-1972
Laura Amadisto (grandmother's sister) c.1912-1962
Benjamin Gallegos (grandfather) c.1909-1959?
Rita Rivas (great grandmother) c. 1879-1958
Edward Amadisto (great grandfather) c. 1879-1952
Jim Maddox (great grandfater) c.?-1936
Amado Amadisto (great great grandfather) c.?-1916
Juana Portilla (great great grandmother) c.?-before 1909
Sosten Portilla (great great great grandfather) c.?
Colonel Juan Osuna (great great great great grandfather) c.?
Significant Others:
Donis Arias - died 2003
Louise Smith - died 2003
Danny Sepulveda - died 2001
Roger Bowen - died 1996
Ginny Earnest - died 1993
Ron Owens - died 1989
Claude Owens - died 1984
Raymond Beard - died 1972
Estrellas:
Alice Coltrane - died 2007
Elvin Jones - died 2004
Babatunde "Baba" Olatunji - died 2003
Cesar Chavez - died 1993
Miles Davis - died 1991
William Stringfellow - died 1985
Bob Marley - died 1981
Pablo Picasso - died 1973
Martin Luther King, Jr. - died 1968
John Coltrane - died 1968
Thomas Merton - died 1968
Albert Einstein - died 1955
Frida Kahlo - died 1954
Mahatma Gandhi - died 1948
Wassily Kadinsky - died 1944
Corrections and omissions welcome.
Wow! Quite a list...Uncle Vaughn was born 1940 and died 2004; Aunt Beki born 1947, died 2000; Jack born 1912. One of these days i'd really like to do some geneology. It's quite appauling I don't even know who to think of on Day of the Dead!
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