Remembering St. Jude patient Juan, with love

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Weeks before Día de los Muertos, Amelia begins to purchase decorations for the altar for her son Juan. When Juan was 9 years old, he was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor and treated at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital until 2018. He died at age 15.  

Amelia said she has always lit candles for relatives who passed away for Día de los Muertos. But after her son died, she began to read more about the traditions surrounding the holiday and began to erect an altar in her home.  

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexican celebration that is observed Nov. 1 and Nov. 2. Those who observe the holiday believe it is a day to honor the souls of those who have died. Families prepare their loved one’s favorite foods, which are left on decorated altars that contain some of their treasured things.  

Other Latin American countries honor the lives of loved ones during the first two days in November when they visit cemeteries and bring flowers or other offerings.  

Amelia’s altar contains portraits of her mother, father, a close friend and Juan, as well as other children who have died. It is also covered with several offerings or ofrendas. And she makes pan de muerto, or bread of the dead, a sweet bread that she sets on her display. 

Amelia, who lives in Arizona, makes a special meal with some of Juan’s favorite dishes to serve on Nov. 2, including a bean and cheese burrito with ginger ale or root beer, or both, and then chimichangas and rice. She places a portion of the food items on the altar between framed pictures and shares a meal with her youngest son, Javier. 

Amelia said the days are bittersweet, but she likes to share in the tradition. 

“It’s a hard process because no one wants to make an altar for their child. That's not what I ever envisioned in my life, but it’s also a way I feel to connect to Juan when I can still spoil him, as silly as that sounds,” she said. “And even though I feel he is with me every day, and protects me every day of my life, our culture makes it a special day that I can make his favorite food and cater to him.”