Last year, in July 2023, I sat down with my beloved bisabuela Mamá Juve to record her story, not knowing that exactly one year later we would lose her. As we approach this significant loss, I am compelled to share ways I’ve found to honor those who have left us and how you can cherish your loved ones, whether they are still with us or have moved on, especially during this time of Día de los Muertos.
The Gift of Time and Attention
Reflecting on my interview with mi Mamá Juve, I’ve come to realize that the best gift we can offer our loved ones is our undivided time and attention. When I interviewed Mamá Juve, it was during a family reunion/celebration of her in Wisconsin. I was just six weeks postpartum with my son Mateo and felt a deep urge to document Mamá Juve’s memories, however limited they might be. The laughter, her voice, even the thoughtful pauses as she recalled pieces of her past—all these elements are now preserved forever. I urge anyone still fortunate enough to have their great-grandparents, grandparents, or parents with them to pick up their phones and start these conversations. Trust me, one day these recordings will be far more valuable than any physical inheritance they could leave.
Creating and Honoring Traditions
This week’s episode also delves into the significance of creating an altar during el Día de Muertos, a tradition that became more prevalent to me as I got older. This simple act of setting up a space to celebrate Día de los Muertos with my two kids is not just about remembering; it’s about preserving our family’s story and passing it into the hearts of the next generation. My three-year-old son Diego is already starting to grasp these concepts, asking questions about relatives he has never met and engaging with our family heritage in meaningful ways.
Living Their Legacy
Lastly, my conversation with Mamá Juve taught me the importance of living out their legacy. Mamá Juve was the most resilient person I’ve known. Married at a very young age, she was uneducated and from modest beginnings. Yet she was incredibly capable, raising 11 children and leaving behind a legacy of strong, determined women. Her story adds depth to my own pursuits in advocating for my community, politics, and volunteerism. This connection to our ancestors fuels my desire to carry on their legacy through my actions and values.
My Interview with Mama Juve
The podcast episode transitions into my memorable interview with Mamá Juve last year. Listening to it again reminds me that she understood the gravity of our conversation – a celebration of her life and her unyielding spirit, now captured to share with the world. Through this interview, her voice and story will touch more lives than she ever imagined. I hope this encourages you to not wait on capturing your family’s stories. Record them today, take those photos, tell your people you love them. Tomorrow is never guaranteed. These moments are fleeting, but recording them can make them last forever.
At the end of this episode, I include Mamá Juve’s interview in its entirety. Please note that it’s all in Spanish and not studio-recorded, but its raw honesty is what makes it truly special. I hope her story inspires you to create your own audio memories with those you love. Remember, our loved ones carry their own stories, their own legacies – and sharing them allows their spirits to remain alive and inspiring.
Show Notes
In this personal episode, we explore how to honor our loved ones during Dia de los Muertos while teaching our children about this beautiful tradition. After losing my bisabuela this July, I share the interview I recorded with her exactly one year before her passing, along with three meaningful ways to keep our ancestors’ memories alive.
I emphasize the importance of capturing and preserving family stories through recordings, the significance of setting up an altar for Día de Muertos, and living out the legacy passed down by our ancestors.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
- Why recording our loved ones’ stories is the most precious gift we can give our children
- Ways to keep our ancestors’ legacy alive through everyday actions
- Special tips for helping children connect with their culture through Dia de los Muertos
Listen to Episode 5 with Zarai Imports in Chicago on How to Create Traditions for Día de los Muertos
About Jessica Cuevas
Jessica is the founder and creator of Viva la Mami, LLC a community centered around Latina motherhood. Jessica created this platform after not finding empowering stories about experiences of Latina moms. She realized that there was a lack of representation in this space and felt there was a need for mamis to share their stories and to learn more about the nuances about motherhood through a cultural lens.
Viva la Mami’s mission is to empower the modern Latina mom to redefine the meaning of madrehood through education, story-telling, and cultural relevance all while bringing comunidad together.
