I remember growing up in a somewhat religious home.

Born into an environment where the values of our Latino culture and the fear of God’s judgment were important, the topic of death was considered sacred.

A giant black Bible sat en la mesita in the living room and was considered sacred, and even though it would get dusty, the fear of God’s judgment was forever real to me. Perhaps it was the three spiritual laws of a Latina mother: 1) Diosito (God) is watching you; 2) Diosito will punish you; and 3) Te dije (I told God) Diosito would punish you.

It was this tabooish subject of death that created many of the Latino cultural myths and stories related to this topic.

“Don’t forget to make the sign of the cross before you lick the candy.” These were words that we would say when either one or another person would drop any edible thing. Especially candy, for it was a rarity for us to get candy.

What this meant was that, for example, if you dropped a candy, as soon as it touched the ground it would then belong to the devil. But if you recovered it immediately, and made a sign of the cross on or over the spot where the candy fell, the myth is that the devil would relinquish the candy and the candy would also be cleansed from any “germs.”

How about the religious belief that any time you crossed over in front of the crucifix of the main church, one would have to kneel/bow and make the sign of the cross? And pray in the name of the Holy Trinity.

Regardless of what “sin” we committed, we sure didn’t forget to go through that ritual because the words “Diosito te va castigar” (God is going to punish you) would haunt you.

Another myth was never to walk on the plot where the dead rested. The dead are considered sacred.

On Oct. 31, what is commonly known as Halloween Day, en la cultura Latina, it is known as “El Dia de Los Muertos” (“The Day of the Dead”). There is no greater respect for our loved ones that have gone before us.

The Day of the Dead is usually celebrated in two days. The first day celebrates infants and children who have died. The second day is in honor of adults who have died.

This festivity involves diverse forms of expressions, but it definitely has its special foods and special rituals. Pan de muertos or “bread of the dead” is traditional bread that is baked and eaten during this celebration. The air is filled with loud lively music from Mariachi bands. Visiting the cemetery is a popular tradition. There, the tomb or burial plot is decorated with flowers, photos or any articles that the dead prized and enjoyed while they lived.

While the culture in the U.S. is to shy away from discussions of death, Mexicans embrace death. They use Dia De Los Muertos as an opportunity to celebrate the death and the life of loved ones and friends they knew in this world.

And it is a day of celebration, not a day of mourning. While not alone in the world in celebrating death, it is certainly uncommon and would make someone from the U.S. very uncomfortable at first.

Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross writes: “Dying is an integral part of life, as natural and predictable as being born. But whereas birth is cause for celebration, death has become a dreaded and unspeakable issue to be avoided by every means possible in our modern society.”

Death is still sacred, so why don’t we treat as such? Why do we continue to think that because our abuelitos (grandparents) and jefitos (parents) are gone, we must disregard the values of what death is all about?

Could it be too much religion and preaching damnation — or perhaps not enough?

One thing that has diluted the practice of this religious event in America is the commercialization of Halloween by the churches. There was no “Holy Weenie Night” or any “spiritualized” named event used to entice the community to attend their church.

Nowadays, churches in every corner are spending money given “for the work of the ministry” on Halloween festivals. Then, so that the church does not give any perception of them celebrating a “devil’s” holiday, they will call it some community jargon. Que onda?

I encourage you to celebrate the Day of the Dead, and honor those who you loved and gave of their love to you.

Whether you practice such beliefs as making the sign of the cross to reclaim the dropped candy, or honor the sacredness of the cross, these and other myths will never replace el Dia de Los Muertos.

Tito Hinojos is a Federal Way resident. Send comments to editor@fedwaymirror.com.