(no subject)

[mlr]

Santiago, the father of my handsome partner Israel, died last week. The funeral was in rural Oklahoma on Saturday. The day included tributes (including Israel) in both English and Spanish, Mormons (Santiago was one), Masons (ditto), military honors, and the mingling of one huge family (Israel had six siblings; Santiago, six surviving siblings - and his wife, Librada, as many or more.)

He was always very kind to me and respectful of our relationship - not always a guarantee in this part of the country.

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[mlr.livejournal.com]

Actually I enjoyed the Masons at the graveside. They stood as a group to one side. When their time came, an older man recited from memory this long elaborate speech about mortality. The speech did not seem like 20th century rhetoric at all - much more flowing and poetic. The utter seriousness and sincerity of the speaker was moving, as well as the ideas in the speech. After he was done, they tied an apron, similar to the ones they were wearing, to the casket, and each man placed a small pine bough inside the grave.