The Service

We woke up at 5 to the sound of music. There were a lot of people already moving about. I can now understand why Lyn is so good at camping. It felt a lot like we were on a big group outing. Some people were making coffee and others were cooking breakfast on gas burners in the kitchen. We all got ready to start the service. We would be going to the church and then on to the cemetery. There was a small marching band outside playing music until the Hearst came. They would actually lead us to the church for the service and then on to the cemetery. We would all walk behind the Hearst the entire way as a sign of struggle and respect. This was no small feat as the cemetery was about an hours walk away. After about 20 minutes we made it to the church and after the casket was taken in we all went in and had a seat. It was a small beautiful one-room church. Most of its beauty came from its simplicity. Sometimes we all get caught up in the mentality that bigger is better but this church was a shining example of why that is not true. After several songs and speakers several family members were asked t speak. Even though I could not understand the language I could of course see the love and sorrow on their faces. I was even asked to speak, I am not sure if anyone but Lyn really understood what I said but at the end of the day that was all that really mattered to me. At the end of the service all of the family members where asked to put flowers on the coffin and then stand at the front of the church then all of the people got in line and offered their condolences one more time. It was really moving to say the least. After that we prepared for the long walk to the cemetery. The walk was filled with conversations and it was great to see the views of this beautiful area at a speed that only walking can provide. Along the way some cars would toss out coins and the kids would run around and pick them up. As we walked things really started to heat up as the sun came up. At times it was a struggle but like with most struggles came appreciation. The appreciation of walking in the shade when trees were present, a cool breeze or maybe water that was handed to you by someone you did not know. About half way there the Hearst stopped and they could not get it started. I never heard one person complain. We all just found a place in the shade and talked while several of the men opened the hood and tried to figure out the problem. After about 10 minutes they got it started and we were on our way. We finally made it all the way to the cemetery. The coffin was brought out and everyone was given one final chance to say goodbye. Then it was carried to its final resting place and placed in the vault. After that it was boarded up and the younger men formed a line and handed buckets of concrete to each other that were used to seal it up. While this was being done we went back to Lyn’s Mom’s house for a big lunch for all involved. We bought a few bottles of soda at the Sari Sari store across the street and everyone continued to enjoy the fellowship. Later that afternoon we went back to Dominga’s house had dinner and called it a night. It had been along day and we were all ready for a good nights sleep. What a great send off to such a great person. May you rest in peace Mamang.

Getting ready for the walk to the church.