For the very bottom layer I wanted to offer some games that I have played within my family for as long as I can remember. I decided to hang a some hummingbirds throughout the altar because to me they are kind of like the butterflies that are believed to guide our ancestors during this time of year. I have always liked humming birds and whenever I see one zip by me, it like a reminder to take a second to breath and take in my surroundings. The second to last bottom tier contains rocks that I had picked off the ground on my humanitarian trip to Africa when I was a junior in high school. My family hardly ever traveled, if we did it was to San Francisco or Reno, Nevada. When I had entered a contest with my biotech class we were selected winners to go hand deliver solar suitcases that we had assembled to communities in the rural part of Kenya, Africa. My mom did not want to sign the forms for me to enroll in the selection process to go on the trip, but on the last day to turn in the form, I had finally convinced her to do so. While I have always thought about the struggles that many kids have to go through just to get a safe cup of water, I was grateful for the chance to go and see who and where the device I had assembled was going to be in use. I will never forget my trip that was filled with smiles, such beautiful singing, and kids that were so confused by the word “Mexico” and “Mexican” because they were only used to meeting White- Americans and Canadians. So, when thinking about who else I wanted to honor, I wanted to include the people that I had met on my trip that may no longer be in this realm because of the lack of resources and everyday struggle to obtain safe drinking water. The yellow-green bracelet was given to me by one of the community members, and the box was bought from a local vender that had so many unique pieces. I always keep the rocks close by because to me they hold a lot of strong and resilient energy and remind me to be grateful for my everyday life. In the second to last bottom tier, I also decided to add a printed photo of a drawing I made last year for Dia de los Muertos. It was the first time I had taken the time to truly thank and appreciate all of my past ancestors. I do not know much about my lineage, and I cannot name many of those that came before me, but I to me this drawing let me take the time to thank the ancestors that have helped me and continue to help me on my journey in this life. There is also a photo of my partner’s grandfather Clive who pasted away late August of this year. He was a great man that basically raised my partner and always tried to know me better and even practiced his Spanish with my parents and me. I decided to include some rose petals and chamomile for some added fragrance and tea. For as long as I can remember my grandma from my mother’s side was always brewing te de manzanilla, so I am sure it will be a familiar beverage for my grandfather. I hope that my step-grandma appreciates the fragrant roses. As shown in the photos the top tiers have some foods like black beans, rice, purple corn, chia seeds, an orange, and a small loaf of bead from a local bakery here in Berkeley. While I did not get to meet my mom’s father or my step-dad’s mother, I wanted to honor and thank them for their children that have shown me so much support and strength. I am grateful for have been able to learn all that I have and actually participate in a tradition that brings me one step-closer to feeling connected to the incredible culture that I have always rejected to try and “fit-it”.