Thank you Chanda, Diane, Ryan and Anna for your condolences. I know others have read this, and I also appreciate your unspoken support and prayers. I've often read a thread, and just not had any words to say to offer support. Yet I always send the writer support through my spiritual beliefs, so I know that others do the same.
In all, we had one 13 hour vigil, one 2 hour vigil and 2 masses....in 4 days.
We were EXTREMELY blessed to encounter a funeral home that had both international experience planning funerals, and experience with El Salvador. They made what is a VERY complicated process....simple. They were also kind enough to not charge us for most of their administrative costs....which saved us almost $3000.
Last night we escorted the casket to the airport. The corruption in El Salvador is so widespread that the gangs highjack funeral processions and hold the deceased hostage until the family pays to get them back.
It's not uncommon for officials to look the other way while this happens, so that distrust carried into our services. Not only that, the gangs have people that sit on the hills overlooking the airport, scoping things out with binoculars. They will bribe guards to let them in, or to give up without any resistance.
There's a long layover in Houston. So I'm on call until 9:30 tonight. Lord willing, the pick up and internment will go as smoothly as everything here did.
I feel so badly for his mom and dad, this is the first child they've lost. His mom is in her early 50's and his dad is 60. Like any parent, it feels so wrong to lose a child.
Please say prayers, too, for the driver of the vehicle. Only the Lord knows how this is affecting him and his family.
Thank you again Diane for blessing us with this forum. Without you ALL I'd have had no place to vent, and not too much support. I appreciate you more than you will ever know.
