Speaker 1: Calaruga Shark Media.
Speaker 2: Hello and welcome to Ghost Scary Stories. This episode is
titled Dia de los Mortos, Part four, The last Offrienda.
Dia de los Mortos dawned with a sky painted in
hues of gold and crimson. The air was crisp, carrying
the scent of marigolds and incense from the altars that
dotted the city. The festival had begun, and with it
came the culmination of our efforts. I awoke with a
sense of purpose, the weight of responsibility balanced by a
newfound strength. The events of the previous days had transformed me,
instilling a resilience I hadn't known I possessed. I dressed
in traditional attire, donning a vibrant skirt adorned with embroidered
flowers and a blouse rich in color. I painted my
face in the Calaverra style, intricate designs framing my features,
a tribute to the ancestors and a symbol of the
connection between life and death. Entering the workroom, I found
La Katrina waiting. She was resplendent, her dress and elaborate
tapestry of shadows and light, her hat adorned with marigolds
that seemed to glow from within. Are you ready, she asked,
her tone gentle yet firm. I nodded, as ready as
I'll ever be. Today is the day we honor the
spirits and solidify the bonds between our worlds, she said.
But there is still one final task.
Speaker 1: What is it?
Speaker 2: She gestured toward the mirror. You must perform the last offrienda,
the ultimate offering. A sense of apprehension settled over me.
What does it entail? She met my gaze, her eyes,
once empty sockets, now shimmering with ethereal light. You must
open your heart completely, allowing the collective memories of the
spirits to flow through you. In doing so, you will
become a vessel, a bridge that unites the realms. I
swallowed hard. What happens to me? You will transcend your
mortal limitations, she explained. Your essence will expand, touching every
soul connected by the marigolds. It is both a gift
and a sacrifice. I took a deep breath, considering the
magnitude of her words. Will I lose myself? You will
become more than yourself, she replied, But you will not
be alone. Your grandmother will goud you from within the mirror.
I glanced at the reflective surface, seeing faint images of
my grandmother and other ancestors. Their presence offered comfort, a
reminder of the lineage I was part of. Okay, I said, resolutely,
tell me what I need to do. La Katrina led
me to the center of the room, where an elaborate
altar had been prepared. It was adorned with candles, photographs,
and offerings, pandelos, mrtos, sugar skulls, and personal mementos. Stand here,
she instructed, close your eyes and open your mind, allow
the energies to flow. I did as she said, inhaling deeply.
The sense of the altar surrounded me, a heady mix
that was both grounding and transcendent. She began to chant
in the ancient language, her voice weaving a melody that
resonated deep within my soul. Gradually, I felt a warmth
spreading through me, starting at my core and radiating outward.
Images flooded my mind, memories of lives lived, joys, celebrated,
sorrows endured. I saw through the eyes of countless spirits,
experiencing moments both monumental and mundane, the birth of a child,
the loss of a loved one, the simple pleasure of
a shared meal. Emotions surged, love, grief, hope, despair, all
intertwining in a complex tapestry. It was overwhelming, yet I
felt no urge to resist. Instead, I embraced it, allowing
myself to become one with the collective consciousness. Time lost,
meaning I existed in a space between moments, connected to
every soul that had ever been touched by the marigolds.
I understood then that we were all part of a continuum,
threads woven into the fabric of existence. A voice broke
through the haze, my grandmother's marissol. You are doing beautifully, Abuela,
I whispered, sensing her presence enveloped me. You carry our
legacy forward, she said, and in doing so, you honor us.
All am I changing, I asked, uncertain, Yes, she affirmed,
But change is not to be feared. It is the
essence of life. I felt a gentle pull guiding me
back to awareness. As I opened my eyes, the room
came into focus. The candles burned brighter, their flames dancing
in sync with an unseen rhythm. La Katrina stood before me,
her expressions serene, It is done. She declared. I looked
down at my hands, noticing a faint luminescence. What happens now?
Now you lead the procession, she replied. The spirits will
follow you, guided by your light. Stepping outside, I was
greeted by a breath taking sight. The marigolds had formed
a pathway through the streets, their glow illuminating the way.
People had gathered, dressed in their finest faces, painted in celebration.
As I began to walk, the spirits emerged, translucent figures
that shimmered like stars. They moved alongside the living, The
boundaries between realms blurred. Laughter and music filled the air,
a joyous harmony that transcended words. We made our way
to the central plaza, where a massive altar awaited. It
was a masterpiece of artistry, every detail crafted with care.
Offerings covered its surface, a testament to love and remembrance.
I climbed the steps, turning to face the crowd. The
energy was palpable, a collective heartbeat that pulsed through us all.
La vida ila muerte son una, I proclaimed, life and
death are one. Cheers erupted, voices raised in unity. The
celebration reached its peak, A crescendo of emotion and connection.
As the festivities continued, I felt a hand on my shoulder. Turning,
I saw my mother, her eyes glistening with unshd tears. Marisol,
she said softly. I didn't understand before, but now I
see mother, I replied, emotions welling up. She embraced me tightly.
Your grandmother would be so proud she's here, I assured her.
They're all here. We stood together, watching as families reunited
with the spirits of their loved ones, sharing stories and
creating new memories. As the night wore on, the spirits
began to fade, their energies, returning to the realm beyond.
They left with the smiles and waves, promises of future
reunions lingering in the air. La Katrina approached me one
last time. You have fulfilled your role admirably. Is this goodbye?
I asked, For now, she said, with a hint of
a smile, But remember I am always near when the
marigolds bloom, I nodded, gratitude, filling my heart. Thank you
for everything. She tipped her hat, the marigolds rustling softly,
until we meet again. With that, she vanished into the night,
her form, dissolving like mist under the moonlight. As dawn approached,
I stood at the edge of the plaza, watching the
first rays of sunlight paint the sky. I felt a
profound sense of peace, knowing that the connections we'd forged
would endure. My mother joined me, slipping her hand into mine.
What happens now, she asked, Now we live? I replied,
We carry their stories with us and honor them through
our actions. She smiled, squeezing my hand. I'd like to
learn more about our family's traditions. I'd be happy to
teach you, I said warmly. We walked home together, the
streets quieting as the city stirred awake. The marigolds along
the path seemed to nod in approval, their pedals catching
the morning light. Back at the house, I glanced at
the mirror in the workroom. My reflection gazed back, but
within it I saw the echoes of those who had
come before. My Grandmother's eyes shone with pride, and I
knew she was at peace. I took a moment to reflect,
acknowledging the journey that had brought me here. I had
faced fears, embraced change, and forged bonds that transcended time
and space. Some families carry more than memories, I whispered,
recalling my grandmother's words. Some of us carry doors, and
so the door remained open, a gateway between worlds, sustained
by love, remembrance, and the unyielding spirit of those who
came before.
Speaker 1: Ghost is a Calorogus Shark Media production, written and hosted
by Alexander Ian McIntyre, produced by Mark Francis. Executive producers
Mark Francis and John McDermott. Portions of this podcast may
have been created with the assistance of AI.
Speaker 2: This show, along with hundreds of others from calorh Ooga
Shark Media, is available commercial free on any player Hassle free.
Just look for the link in the episode or show
notes
Speaker 1: Caloroga Shark Media