Jennifer Ochoa

This altar is dedicated to my grandfather, Juan Antonio Ochoa. Unfortunately, he passed away in May 1996, a year before I was born. I never got the chance to meet him. I know very little of his life because growing up my dad never talked about him.

The few details I know of his life are that he was married and had four children before meeting my grandmother, Zoila Esperanza Escalante. His wife passed away and he became a widow. My grandmother, Abuelita Esperanza, worked for him as a maid. She was 15 and he was 40. Even though they had a tremendous age gap, they fell in love and had three children. My aunt Elva Luz Ochoa was born first, then my uncle, Orwild Ochoa, and finally, my father came along, Jorge Antonio Ochoa.

My father’s family was very poor, but the love they had for one another was sufficient to help them cross various barriers. My grandpa Juan was a strong family man that always provided for his family. I wish I could’ve met him.

This altar demonstrates the emotional connection that I have with him. Even though I never got the chance to meet him, I am grateful to him for the sacrifices he made. It is because of him that my dad exists, and because of my dad that I exist. I want to honor my grandfather by continuing to fight for my education. May he rest in peace.