Chapter 3 The Riveras welcome back music

Miguel and the rest of the family enjoyed hearing Mama Coco's stories about her father Hector when he was still alive. Elena Mama Coco's daughter especially liked her mother's stories and knew it was time to make a change. "Mi familia for so many years I always thought music was a curse and that Miguel shouldn't become a musician like my grandpa. Now that we know the truth of why mi abuelo never came back and who really wrote all of those songs. I say we honor Papa Hector by letting the world know who really is the person who wrote mi mama's special song Remember Me along with all of his other songs" declared Elena as the family agreed with her. "How are we going to do that?" Elena's husband Franco asked. Miguel thought about his abuelo's question and looked at all of the letters and poems from Hector to Coco. "I know what to do. We can show them to the historians of our town as Proof that Papa Hector is the true musician not that lying murderous Ernesto De La Cruz. That is if Mama Coco is ok with that" said Miguel as Mama Coco nodded in agreement with Miguel's plan.

With that said the Rivera family all headed to the museum of Mexican history and showed the letters and poems to the historians. They were shocked to hear about Ernesto De La Cruz's true colors and hated that for so many years they've been honoring the wrong person. "Rivera family thank you for showing us these letters. Now we know who should really be honored. As for Ernesto De La Cruz he'll be discredited because of his actions and his statue will be taken down at the plaza. As for the one at the cemetery something special will be done to it" said the museum historian as plans went into effect for setting up something for Hector Rivera. A few weeks later everyone in the town of Santa Cecilia knew the truth and came to visit the tour spot where Hector's letters, poems and his guitar were displayed for everyone to see. The statue of Ernesto De La Cruz was taken down and replaced with one of Hector. The statue of Ernesto De La Cruz at the cemetery in front of his crip had a sign hung on it that said, "forget you" written on it as the caretakers for his crip didn't attend to it as much as they used to.

Out of all of the members of the Rivera family Mama Coco was happy that her father was finally getting the recognition he deserved. One day after when the Riveras were finishing up some shoes Miguel's cousins Abel and Rosa went up to their families because they wanted to tell them something. "Mom, Dad, everyone we have something we want to say," Rosa said as she and her older brother Abel stood together at the workshop. "What is it you wish to tell us?" their father Berto asked. Abel and Rosa each took a breath as Abel said, "since our family no longer considers music to be a curse we want to learn how to play musical instruments just like cousin Miguel. Deep down we've always wanted to play music but we couldn't do it before. I want to learn how to play the accordion." "And I want to learn to play the violin" exclaimed Rosa. Abel and Rosa's parents Berto and Gloria thought about what their children said and before they could say something Miguel went up to his cousins and said to them, "That's great you two want to learn how to play a musical instrument. Maybe we can play together if you want" offered Miguel. "That sounds fun, count me in if Mom and Dad are cool with us wanting to play music" stated Rosa. "Of course you and Abel can learn how to play musical instruments right Berto?" Gloria said to her husband. "Yes if that is what you two want. Besides I think it would be wonderful to have more musicians in the family" replied Berto.

Abel and Rosa thanked their parents and shortly afterwards Berta and Gloria got their children the musical instruments they wanted. Abel and Rosa enjoyed learning how to play the accordion and violin. Their family thought they played wonderfully including Miguel who enjoyed playing music with his cousins because they started to perform for their town from time to time during events. One evening after dinner Miguel was outside working on a song and his grandma heard him playing. "What are you working on?" Elena asked her grandson. "It's a new song I've been writing. I'm thinking of calling it Proud Corazón" answered Miguel as he played a bit for his grandma. Elena thought it was beautiful and said, "Your song sounds lovely and I think you call it Proud Corazón. The lyrics match the title perfectly." Miguel realized his Abuelita was right and thanked her for listening to his song. Eventually Miguel finished writing his song and wanted to play it for his family. The first person Miguel wanted to play for was his great grandma Mama Coco. "Mama Coco I wrote a new song and I'm calling it Proud Corazón. Would you like to hear it?" Miguel asked his great grandma. Coco turned and looked at her great grandson as she said, "I would like to hear your song."

Miguel noticed that his Mama Coco's voice sounded a bit weaker as he was about to sing. When Miguel was singing the first few lines of Proud Corazón Coco smiled and looked like she was staring into space before closing her eyes. "Mama Coco did my song put you to sleep? Is it that bad?" asked Miguel who grew concerned for his great grandma. "No Miguel your song is lovely. I've been feeling really tired lately and you know I'm really old and sick. I don't know how much time I have left. I would like to hear you sing more for me but I want the whole family to be around. Please get them" Coco requested. Miguel was shocked to hear that his great grandma told him about her possible death and didn't want to believe it. However Miguel honored his great grandma's request as he went to his family to let them know that Mama Coco wanted to see everyone and to inform them that she wasn't feeling well