Dia de los muertos

Its been a tradition in my family many years passed down. To celebrate the lives of our ancestors. But this was also a big day for me because I would be turning 15. I am finally going to be a young woman but its hard with not having my mama there for me. She died when I was very young and ever since then my papa isn't the same man he used to be.  We used to be a very happy family the 3 of us and my older brother Ramon but when I was only 4 my mother died of sickness. My brother Ramon was only 5 years older than me and he took it hard. I didn't understand at the time but as I got older I realized I would be the only girl at school without a mama. Ramon and my papa both changed. They no longer found happiness in anything. I always tried to cheer them up but I just couldn't. So this Dia De Los Muertos we decided we are going to go honor my mama and my abuelita and abuelo. I wasn't going to have a quincinera which upsets me a little but my mama is more important. I can only hope things will go smoothly for us this year and no tears of sadness but tears of happiness. I remember mama always told us "many leaves one tree. Were all individuals but were connected. no ones alone. though miles may take us apart I am always going to be in your Corazon and you in mine."