For the past few years, Jose and his daughter, Suyapa, have been part of Vitra Health’s Adult Foster Care program. Suyapa, his devoted caregiver, cares for her father full-time with incredible dedication.

Before moving to Massachusetts, Suyapa was a teacher and a natural healer in Honduras. She is a member of the American Association of Homeopathic Healers and strongly believes in the power of natural remedies.

Vitra has become an essential part of Jose and Suyapa’s journey, so much so that they invited the Vitra team to celebrate Jose’s birthday. The team didn’t hesitate to say yes; after all, it’s not every day you get to celebrate a centenarian!

Jose’s care team, Phillip (Case Manager) and Meghan (Nurse), joined Dan and Stephanie from the Community Development team to mark the occasion.

As soon as we entered the home, we were greeted by Suyapa’s warm smile. An inviting aroma of herbs and spices drifted through the kitchen. The dining room was covered in vibrant birthday decorations, radiating love and care.

Jose soon joined us, using his walker to guide his steps. Despite being over a hundred years old, his strength and presence were remarkable. He greeted each of us with a firm handshake and a warm smile.

“No tengo palabras, a Dios le pido que esté con ustedes siempre hasta morir.”

As we shared stories and met family members both in person and via FaceTime, Suyapa treated us to Tamalitos de Repollo—a traditional Honduran dish that takes days of preparation and lots of love.

Three large pots simmered on the stove, filled with cabbage and grape-leaf dumplings stuffed with beef and pork, soaking in a rich, savory broth. Suyapa’s husband proudly showed us the grapevine in their backyard, where they grow the grape leaves used in the dish.

Each bite was delicious, and we savored every morsel.

Once we finished our meal, it was time to move the celebration outdoors. The backyard picnic table was beautifully decorated for the birthday festivities. We sang Happy Birthday, shared a delicious passion fruit cake from a local Brazilian bakery, and witnessed firsthand the deep love and commitment within this family, especially between Jose and Suyapa.

Celebrating Jose was an honor and a heartwarming reminder of Vitra Health’s mission: to care for the community by supporting families like his.

Jose may have been born in a world without the internet, but today, he enjoys scrolling through Facebook, creating art, and spending time with those he loves most. We wish him continued health and happiness.