As we move deeper into the fall season and the leaves take on brilliant colors before falling, I feel reflective about the cycle of life. El Día de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, takes place just after Halloween from November 1-2 and is an opportunity to remember and celebrate those who have passed on from this world.
This celebration recognizes that death is a natural part of the experience. It is a holiday similar to All Saints’ Day, another holiday that celebrates and honors loved ones who have died. Día de Los Muertos is a holiday widely observed in the Western and Southwestern U.S., as well as in Mexico. Family and friends gather to celebrate departed loved ones in a time to reflect and remember the impact of their lives.
Our role as advanced practice providers allows us to be present in some of the most profound moments in our patients’ lives, including when they are diagnosed with cancer and sometimes, when they die. Over the course of my career, I have found it comforting to recognize and remember all the patients I have cared for and cared about, to hold their memories in my heart, and to honor and celebrate them. A quote attributed to Isabel Allende encapsulates that feeling perfectly: “Si puedes recodarme, siempre estaré contigo,” which translates to “If you remember me, I will always be with you.”
This November 1-2, I ask you to join me in remembering the patients and families who we have cared for and who are no longer with us and appreciate the impact that caring for them has made upon us.