Double funeral.
The funerals were scheduled for 10, leaving from Sister Rita’s home,
walking to Apaneca, about 30 minutes away, and then up to the cemetery. Her sister’s funeral would originate from her
own home, but join the group’s walk.
Dwaine, Cesar and I were coming from another direction. Dwaine was able
to go by and tell some of the Wednesday studies that we would not come by
today. We dropped Clifton off at the warehouse as he was going to Cara Sucia to
work. We arrived close to ten, but the
walkers did not arrive until about 11.
There was a sea of people, possibly 150.
In the walk we ended up under the edge of the canopy and both caskets
were placed. Two people, Bro. Edgardo
and Bro. Moran spoke and sang. There
were some notable memories. Most
everyone was involved in both losses and this created a truly deep sense of
loss. Close family members wailed over
the caskets and some even swooned. Most
had stayed up all night and they were exhausted. In the background, the ice cream sellers rang
their bells and an occasional child was seen eating a cone. The snow cone maker was just behind the
speaker, so at times his hand cranked ice shaver would sound above the
fray. Everyone was so close and the
smell of grief was so strong in the air.
The land was hilly and you could see families and loved ones gathered on
the hillside. One sister, who is usually
so dependent, led a prayer and was so strong helping her mother through the
grief. Many came from a variety of
congregations. After about 45 minutes,
each casket was carried to the gravesite.
They separated at this point. The
sister of Rita, Regina’s aunt, was buried on the hilltop. I looked and looked for our church sister,
Aracely, but I could not find her. The
son of Rita, Regina’s brother, was buried at the bottom of a hill. I walked down there with Regina’s
children. Regina had to rest before the
site. She did not want to see the
burial. After the coffin was covered
with dirt, people took all the flowers and took them from their vases and in a
sense, planted them in the ground creating a garden affect. It was actually very pretty. When we walked back up, Aracely was there and
we were able to talk with her some. I
was thankful to see her. We headed home
for we had a 1:45 study. I had set this
up with Ana, Sister Ana’s daughter-in-law, and had also invited her husband,
George. He didn’t come, so I just led
the study. We mostly talked, some on her
background, some on the history of the church and some about the Bible and how
it is divided. She did say her husband
couldn’t read and was bashful about coming.
We tried to encourage her about this.
Hopefully he will come soon.
Thankfully he is visiting events when he came. Afterwards, Dwaine left with Cesar to take
them home and have their study with Sister Ana.
I walked to Socorro’s. She was
home, but a worker said she would be back about 4. When I returned, she said she had to go to
Sonsonate. We were able to study, but it
was a little shorter. Afterwards, she
did say she would go to the service.
Regina and her family also went, but they were so tired. We had a good group and I was excited that my
younger study, Claudia, was there and she brought a friend. It sure was a long day and I know so many
family were beyond exhausted. Today was
my Aunt’s visitation. I was thinking of
her as well.
Graveside of Rolando
Received permission to take this photo.
I try to be respectful and not take phots, although some did take pictures.
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