It was time for dio de los muertos. I dressed into my usual outfit for this day, doing my make up in the mirror as I draw a flower near my eye for the last detail.

I wasn’t ready to see so many people, not to mention that all Caribbeans, Hispanics, and latinos were invited, not just Mexicans. It’s fine, I don’t mind it, but it will definitely be more crowded. But at least people can see their family.

At the event area, I go to each grave and place a candle, some of them having carvings inside, or writing specifically for someone like their mother, so I get that out of the way first.

After placing all the candles and lighting them, I go to my father’s grave and sit there, talking to him one on one before the event begun. I missed him. I still do, but, I’m just glad he no longer has to worry about being in pain or going into some medical fit

A few minutes later, I get up and open the gates to the event area, letting the people who came early to be let in. “Hola.” I say, my Spanish wasn’t all that good, and I only really knew the basics. I never was able to be taught any further. “welcome.” I say once again.

after a bit, I walk around just like everyone else. There was no way in hell I was just standing there and greeting everyone. Someone else is here to do that. I watch as others walk around, even seeing some pets, like a dog for example. They even had on their own little fur dyes and outfits.