Grief is love with nowhere to go, and it is a personal exploration of grief, memory, and the fear of forgetting. This exhibition functions as a celebration of life, using objects and images that hold sentimental value to honor the memory of mi abuela, Juana. The works—from family archives, drawings, paintings, and soundscapes to pyrographed wood, ceramic tiles, hair scrunches, and even paper towels with her blood sugar levels—represent our bond. Each piece reflects our time together, created before and after her passing. In this space, grief is not just an emotion but an ongoing process, a way of holding onto the remaining love. The exhibition invites viewers to share in the act of remembering and confronting loss while celebrating the enduring presence of those in our hearts.

Juana Rodriguez, born in Santa Clara, Cuba, on October 20, 1940, passed away peacefully on September 27, 2023, in Hialeah, Florida, surrounded by her son, daughter, and grandson. One of five children, Juana grew up working on sugar cane and tobacco farms, waking before dawn to milk cows and labor alongside her father. Despite having no formal education, she faced hardships with unwavering strength.

In 1980, she bravely traveled to the United States on a makeshift boat with her 11-year-old son under her arm, seeking a better life and escaping political persecution. Juana went on to run restaurants and a cleaning business and raise her grandson, Christian Casas, before retiring in her early 60s. Known for her sweet, caring nature and no-nonsense attitude, she left a lasting impression on everyone she met.

Juana was a firecracker until the end, expressing her love through cooking and quiet wisdom. She will be deeply missed by her family and all who knew her.