Chapter 6 First Family Visit
Many months passed since Mama Coco's death and the birth of Socorro. Life in both the land of the living and the dead carried for the Rivera family. In the land of the dead Hector was able to spend a lot of time showering Coco with so much love and affection just like he did when they were alive. Coco felt like daddy's little girl and loved the time she and her father spent together. When November came around it was Dia de los Muertos and as always Miguel and his family got ready for the special holiday. The whole family went to buy Marigolds from the local flower shop and put things on the ofrenda their deceased loved ones enjoyed when they were still alive. Before the celebration began Miguel was holding his baby sister Socorro as he wanted to show her their family's ofrenda and tell her about each of their family members.
When Miguel and Socorro arrived in the ofrenda room he began telling his sister about their family, "Look Socorro this is our family's ofrenda and I'm going to tell you about them. On top that's our Mama Imelda and Papa Hector with our Mama Coco when she was a little girl. This year we're honoring Papa Hector for the first time since we know the real story of what happened to him. Over there is Tia Victoria and Tia Rosita. Abuelita is Tia Victoria's sister and Tia Rosita always enjoyed sweets. The picture of the man right there is our Papa Julio Mama Coco's husband who is also Abuelita's father. And those two guys are our Tios Oscar and Felipe. They're Mama Imelda's identical twin brothers. All of these people are our family and every year we tell their stories on Dia de los Muertos to honor their memories that way they'll never be forgotten."
After Miguel told Socorro about their family members, their Abuelita came into the ofrenda room with a photo of her late mother. As Elena placed the photo of Coco on the ofrenda she couldn't help but sae in sadness over the loss of her mother but knew that tonight on Dia de los Muertos the spirit of her mother and the rest of their deceased family would come and visit the family. "Besides honoring Papa Hector for the first time on Dia de los Muertos we're honoring Mama Coco as well who Mama and Papa named you after my sweet Little Coco. Tonight she and the rest of the family will get to see you even though you can't see them but if you stay calm you can feel their presents right Abuelita?" said Miguel. "That's right Miguel and this year I want you and your cousins to play music for our family. I think it would be nice if our family, living and dead, would enjoy singing and dancing" Elena requested. Miguel agreed to do it and knew that Abel and Rosa would be up for it when he told them about their Abuelita's request.
Miguel went to his room to get his guitar to practice the song he wanted to sing which was Proud Corazón. When Miguel entered his room he saw a big box on his bed. "It's not my birthday but I'm not about to turn down a present" Miguel thought to himself as he took the lid off. When Miguel saw what was inside he was so happy. "We thought you would like that mariachi outfit. We want you to wear that while you're playing Proud Corazón tonight if you want to" Miguel's father Enrique said when he and Miguel's mother Luisa came into their son's room. "Of course I'll wear it thank you" Miguel said to his parents as he hugged them. After that Miguel changed into his outfit and showed it to his family who loved the way he was dressed.
In the land of the dead everyone was getting ready to visit their families in the land of the living including the Riveras. Coco was thrilled to be going with her family in the land of the dead to visit her living family for the first time. As for Hector he was really nervous about it since it was his first visit to the land of the living. "Hector what's wrong?" Imelda asked as she noticed how Hector looked. "I'm scare my love," answered Hector. "I haven't been to the land of the living since I was alive and for so many years after I came here I've tried to come visit Coco and our family but as we know if a photo of the deceased isn't on an ofrenda that person isn't allowed to cross the flower bridge that connects the two worlds. Plus every year I gave the departure agents a hard time. Last year I even tried crossing the bridge dressed as Frida Kahlo the famous artist but the scanner knew otherwise. What if my photo wasn't put up? What do I do?" Imelda took Hector by the hand and told him, "Since Miguel was able to get Coco to remember you before she died I'm sure your photo was put up. So don't worry so much we'll all be there together."
Hector felt a little bit better knowing that his family would be by his side. However he was still nervous when he approached the face scanner and the same departure agent he tried tricking into thinking he was Frida Kahlo last year. The departure agent wasn't happy to see Hector but scanned his face anyway to amuse him. When the scanner made the bell noise indicating that his picture was on his family's ofrenda she was surprised and happy for him as she said the following words with a smile, "Enjoy your visit Hector." Hector felt relieved as he was able to walk past the gate with his family. "Papa" Coco called out to her father as he turned around. "Coco" replied Hector as he kissed his daughter, picked her and spinned her around causing Coco to shirek with happiness before putting her down. "Are you ready Papa?" Coco asked her father. "I'm ready as I'll ever be" replied Hector as he held hands with Imelda and Coco along with the rest of the family.
As Hector took his first time on the flower bridge that connected the two worlds he noticed that he didn't sink into the bridge that prevents a person from crossing to the land of the living. "I'm actually going home for a visit," Hector thought to himself as he continued walking with his family. When they arrived at the cemetery in Santa Cecilia Hector became thrilled to be back in his hometown. He looked around and saw some familiar sights and the statue of his ex best friend with a sign on it that said, "forget you." "If I was still alive I would have suggested something else to be written on the sign that involves cursing" Hector thought to himself before leaving the cemetery with his family to visit their living family. When they arrived at their family's home Hector saw his great great grandson Miguel all dressed up and ready to sing. "Looks like we arrived just in time for a performance by Miguel" Imelda stated as she and the family walked around the yard going to each of their living family member.
When Hector walked up to his great great granddaughter Socorro to say hello Socorro smiled at him and waved to Hector and the rest of the family. "Do you think she can see us?" Hector asked as he came closer to the baby. "I believe so. It is believed that babies and small children can see spirits when they're young" answered Imelda as she waved to Socorro. When Socorro saw Mama Coco she recognized her and said, "Coco." Socorro's parents and the whole family heard Socorro and Luisa exclaimed, "You said your first word Coco. Your Mama Coco would have been so proud of you my sweet Socorro. As soon as Luisa said her daughter's name Imelda, Hector and Coco were honored that the newest member of the family was named after Coco. While the food was being placed on the tables that were set outside Miguel came out dressed in his mariachi outfit ready to play. Abel and Rosa got out their instruments as well and began playing with Miguel as soon as he started singing,
"Say that I'm crazy or call me a fool
But last night it seemed that I dreamed about you
When I opened my mouth what came out was a song
And you knew every word and we all sang along
To a melody played on the strings of our souls
And a rhythm that rattled us down to the bone
Our love for eachother will live on forever
In every beat of my proud corazón
Our love for each other will live on forever
In every beat of my proud corazón
Ay mi familia, oiga mi gente
Canten al coro, let it be known
Our love for each other will live on forever
In every beat of my proud corazón
Ay mi familia, oiga mi gente
Canten al coro, let it be known
Our love for each other will live on forever
In every beat of my proud corazón"
While Miguel played his guitar the whole family were dancing and enjoying Miguel's performance. Hector even picked up his guitar and played it along with Micheal as he was performing. Miguel's father and Tio Berto picked up Miguel as he sang the last line of his song for everyone to hear. All of the neighbors heard Miguel singing and began to clap and cheer for him as they enjoyed his performance. This was one Dia de los Muertos the Rivera family both living and dead would always remember forever as they grew closer as a family and had fun partying, singing and dancing together.
The End