Cynthia Martinez

For my uncle Gerardo, I put two packets of cigarettes, a couple cigars, and a lighter as my mom mentioned to me he loved to smoke. Now for my uncle Martin, I put a couple bottles of tequila since this was his favorite type of alcohol. My family and I found it funny how we put cigarettes and alcohol as stuff to remember them for on our altar, but it is something they did and enjoyed very often during their lifetimes.

Now to remember my very good friend Angel, I put one of the stuffed animals he gifted me that is very special to me, along with papel picado cut out into hearts. The reason this stuffed animal out of the rest he gifted me is special is because it was during the time he returned from being sick. As soon as Angel was able to return to school during the seventh grade upon beating cancer his first time, he always made sure to gift me something. That Christmas, he gifted me with this butterfly stuffed animal, flowers, and chocolates. I found it to be the most special gift because he did not have to give me anything, but he very much cared for me as I did for him.

In addition to my altar, my family and I decorated the front with papel picado I cut out, pan de muerto, calaveras, candles, dia de los muertos images, and the images of Gerardo, Martin, and Angel. I really enjoyed the process of making this altar as it was the first one my family and I did in our own home, and it got us to really remember who they were and the good moments we spent with them that we will never forget.