Smiling at Death

Woman keeps tradition alive for her children

last updated: November 02, 2008 07:02:44 AM

Death smiles in Laura Malagon's north Modesto home.

It smiles in the form of papier-mâché skulls, with sparkling eyes and grins of glitter.

It smiles in photos and paintings, in dolls, toys and dangling skeletons.

It smiles through the portrait of the late César Chávez, whose gentle face belied his resolve as leader of the United Farm Workers.

This is how Malagon honors the dead -- among them her sister, her mother-in-law, and Chávez, a man whom she so greatly admired.

Today is the Day of the Dead or, in Spanish, Dia de los Muertos. It's a holiday celebrated mostly in Mexico and one that began during the days of the Aztecs and Mayans, possibly 1,000 years before the birth of Christ. It follows Halloween and corresponds with the Catholic holidays of All Saints' and All Souls' days.

Death smiles in her home because the 54-year-old native of Mexico wants to keep the tradition alive for her U.S.-born children. Even so, it's a rather new holiday for her family.

In 1993, Malagon returned to her former hometown of Celaya, in the southeastern state of Guanajuato, to visit family. Laura's sister, 41-year-old Adriana Paredes, was on her way to join them at their mother's house when she was killed by a drunken driver.

Malagon bore a deep sense of loss and guilt for many years.

"She was coming to see me," Malagon said.

Growing up in Mexico, Malagon had seen the different ways people remember their dead, including the decorated skulls and figurines. Some Mexican families will spend the night at the grave of a loved one. They'll take a meal -- usually a loaf of pan de los muertos (bread of the dead) -- and dine while spiritually reconnecting with the deceased. Others build elaborate altars in the homes.

Malagon, a Fairview School teacher's aide who came to the United States 32 years ago, chose the latter because she can create her own themes and make many of the pieces herself. She assembled her first one in 2002, and it was pretty basic: A table decorated with photos of her family, some sea shells, flowers and a couple loaves of the bread.

She's added to it each year since. She buys items during her annual trips to Mexico and makes the decorative skulls on her back porch.

The exhibit has grown to more than 100 pieces, including the skulls, photographs, toys, clothing and so-called catrina dolls. She buys the special bread.

It's grown into an incredible display and one she plans to change every year. Even more so, it's a way for Malagon and her family, including 16-year-old daughter, Laurita, to remember their loved ones and learn more about the ways of the country Malagon left behind.

"I think it's great to be exposed to the culture and to remember the people who passed away," Laurita said. She, too, helps build the altar and makes the pieces.

"It's fun doing it, and spending the time with my mom," the Downey High junior said.

Unlike some, Laura Malagon doesn't believe the spirits of the dead visit the altar.

"I don't believe my mother-in-law or sister will come back to the feast," she said. "I do this because I want my daughter to embrace the tradition. My family never did this in Mexico."

When Malagon built her first altar, her husband and son, Victor Sr. and Victor Jr., wondered what she was doing?

"They said, 'Are you a witch or something?' " Malagon said. "They were teasing me. (Victor Sr.) was happy we were honoring his mother."

While she wants her family to appreciate the traditions of old Mexico, she's also become somewhat Americanized over the years. A family that once feasted on the Mexican dish carnitas (pork) on Thanksgiving, now goes gobbler. The transformation happened nearly 20 years ago when Victor Jr., now 30, said "Mom, why can't we celebrate Thanksgiving like American people?"

"We're so blessed to have a tradition here in the United States like Thanksgiving Day," she said.

But while decorating for that holiday and Christmas are enjoyable, her Day of the Dead altar sparks her creativity.

"Next year, I want to have 365 skulls -- one for each day of the year," she said.

And each one bearing a smile that takes the pain out of death.

Jeff Jardine's column appears Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays in Local News. He can be reached at 578-2383 or jjardine@modbee.com.

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