Threads of separation and supportive networks

Families. Families are really important. Families are especially important to young people. Housing becomes home (or doesn't) based on the support and love created by a family.

Yesterday I was privileged to spend the morning at the White House Conference on LGBT Housing and Homelessness at Wayne State University (here in Detroit). As I sat and listened to the panels - first, a panel made up of four high-level members of the Obama Administration (HUD and HHS in particular) and the SE Michigan US Attorney; then the directors of three programs whose work focuses on providing housing and wrap-around services to homeless LGBT youth - I was struck by just how important it is that we meet not only the immediate needs for shelter among (in particular) young people, but also the emotional needs.

Queer youth make up about 7% of youth, nationally, yet a full 40% of homeless youth are LGBT-identified. At least half of those are homeless because they have been directly rejected by the very support network that is supposed to play a positive role in human development - family. Often, queer youth are further victimized within the systems that are set up to serve them, pushed into the adult shelter system at 18 or 21, frequently lacking, as the director of the Ali Forney Center attested, some of the developmental skills that a lot of us get more-or-less by osmosis. The trauma of rejection is compounded by having to navigate systems just to have needs met. I don't begin to know what this is like. Every family has internal dynamics, of course, but I never had to fill out paperwork to get face time with my folks or have an ID to be granted entry to my house at night. Nor have I ever been told that 40F isn't actually too cold to sleep outside, as is the case in many cities without cold weather laws.

And to be clear - for some youth, leaving home is life saving, preventing either further abuse or contemplation of suicide. But that lack of a supportive home space with people who love them (whether it starts at the point of leaving or long before) has long-lasting impact.


Fast forward to last night and the Grace in Action monthly immigration movie night. We watched Under the Same Moon (trailer), a movie that follows a mother and son who have been separated for four years, because the mom lives and works in LA and the son, Carlitos, lives in Mexico. They, too, are separated, albeit for different reasons than many LGBT youth are separated from their families. After the film, we had a small discussion of the situations presented. During the conversation, a woman I've spoken with a few times at other events spoke up: "Yo me identifico mucho con la mamá en la pelicula - tengo nueve años de no ver a mis tres hijos mayores." (I really identify with the mom in the movie - I haven't seen my three oldest children in nine years.) A ton of bricks doesn't begin to describe. And none of her kids is even my age - the oldest is just younger than Ella.

In talking with her and her husband afterward, I learned that they are from just a couple hours away from Suchitoto. We were talking, laughing, sharing memories and stories and she asked if, whenever I'm there next, I would visit her children. Another ton of bricks. I hope to be able to do this, but it made me once again SO aware of the privilege I have as a citizen of the US. I can come and go as I please, but she cannot nor can her husband. And so they are separated. And their older kids have three siblings here whom they have never met. Separation.

In the film, one of the older characters reminds Carlitos, in a moment of deep despair, that nobody chooses to live this way - everyone has a reason. Usually that reason is a child or a parent.

We have to start and keep having conversations about the situations that push people to make unbearable decisions and live in unbearable situations of separation. We have a role to play in remaking our immigration and housing systems. At the intersections of policy, faith, and community education, we need to plant ourselves and invite others into conversation about how deeply separation hurts individuals, families, and society.

La Misma Luna and the White House Conference did not, at the surface, seem to have a lot in common. Yet there was a common thread throughout the day of the damage done by rejection and family separation, and the important of building loving networks of support around those who, for whatever reason, have been separated from family. Let us continue to be about this as the seasons turn.

Minneapolis Area Synod Assembly

Minneapolis-area Lutherans on Friday went on record against changing the state Constitution to define marriage as between one man and one woman....

Actually, my understanding is that we went on record as having already been on record against changing the Constitution, but that's a small detail. (This resolution reaffirmed a 2004 resolution to the same effect, from last time these shenanigans were happening.)

Needless to say, I'm excited.

The last couple weeks have been mostly good, but have included a couple of rough patches - the loss of a high school friend to colon cancer (at age 25 - I still can't wrap my head around that one) and the volunteers in one of the other programs in town had to transfer all the way to Florida. Given their work environment, the transfer was probably best for their own emotional health, but it is going to be tough getting used to their absence.

On Being in Detroit

Krista Tippet's show, On Being, featured Grace Lee Boggs and Detroit this morning. Dr. Boggs is my neighbor - she lives and runs the Boggs Center just a short block from our house here on the East Side of the city.

You can see the episode entry on the show's blog and listen to the podcast if your interest is piqued. I think two of my coworkers collaborated on the pocket park pictured at the bottom of the page. (That is, they worked with five others on a pocket park and I think it's the one pictured. In my searching to confirm this, I also found this great article that mentions both Kate and Lindsey: http://michigancitizen.com/artists-take-local-food-message-to-the-streets-p10724-1.htm.)

Looking out

Forget this business of Detroiters not watching out for each other.

My life was just saved from getting squashed by a bus by not one but to of my neighbors a block down. I was running and nearing the end of the block when two people - not together - both yelled for me not to cross the street. I figured it was because one of them had a dog that was clearly a bit interested in what I was doing. But as I got within 10 feet of the intersection, I saw that a bus was hurtling down the way. (A bus that I have waited an hour for to no avail, by the way.)

They had no idea that I was planning on stopping and turning around at that very point to end my run. They thought I was about to die and they both hollered for me to stop. I count that as two lives saved.

Let's multiply this.

Do you hear what I hear?

Minnesotans are not supposed to admit to disfavor when it comes to A Prairie Home Companion.

One aspect of my Masters inheritance, however, is that I can almost always find some part of a PHC show that annoys me. (Even if that is simply the fact that Garrison Keillor ALWAYS feels the need to "sing" a harmony along with his musical guests.) But at this last Saturday's show, there was a number that was a parody of "Do you hear what I hear?" In the verse between the Shepherd Boy and the Mighty King, their response was snarky and the king's answer to the boy's question of "do you know what I know?" was all about how dumb the little boy was, because he was poor and uneducated.

I know. Simmer down, Masters. Unbundle your undies. I'm not going to unpack that response necessarily. (And I can admit that it wouldn't irritate me nearly as much if it weren't on the show of a pompous, self-important jerk. But I digress.) I'm going to step away from the negative and say (hopefully briefly) why I really like that song, tired as it is.

It is, admittedly, a completely sentimental, syrupy song in a lot of ways. But that third verse gets me every time:

Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king, "Do you know what I know?

In your palace warm mighty king, do you know what I know?

A Child, a Child, shivers in the cold,

Let us bring Him silver and gold, let us bring Him silver and gold."

The little boy is bold enough to ask the king, of all people, "Do you know what I know?" and then he goes on to tell him, implying that, no, the king in his palace warm does not know. This verse of this song is not THE epitome of my faith. But when I'm about to celebrate the coming of God into our world in the form of a newborn soon-to-be-refugee baby, I damn well better like the idea of a little child having a thing or two to tell a king - and having the spirit and the nerve to make that known!

The Magnificat it is not. The king is still the only one in the song to address others with a command ("Listen to what I say!") rather than a question. He is not a mighty one completely humbled, as Mary's song envisions. But he is a ruler who takes at least this one cue from a child. When was the last time that happened? (And I don't mean rulers acting "like children.") It's not earth-shaking, but it's hell of a thing. It makes me smile every time I imagine that little child asking, "Do you know what I know?" I know I don't, but I want to.

My soul cries out

Today in church we read the Magnificat, Mary's song of joy and hope that the world might be turned upside-down by the wild thing that God was to do through her.

Luke 1:46b-55
1:46b "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

1:48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

1:49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

1:50 His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.

1:51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

1:52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly;

1:53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.

1:54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,

1:55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever."

My favorite rendition of this song begins, "My soul cries out with a joyful shout that the God of my heart is great!"


But my soul is crying out today in sorrow, too. This blog has marked too many massacre anniversaries. Today is one of those. Thirty years ago today, the US-supported Atlacatl Battalion (the same one that carried out the massacre at Copapayo two years later) entered the area of El Mozote and proceeded to kill more than 750 people. (The Catholic church's human rights presence in El Salvador calculated that number at more than 900.) Tim Muth, of Tim's El Salvador Blog, has been doing a wonderful series this week in the lead-up to the anniversary. I encourage you to go check out all of the entries - each one looks at a different aspect of the massacre. Today, his entry is simply the names and ages of those killed. I want to copy them here as well, because each one - down to the 3-day-old - was a person created in God's image. They deserve to be remembered and respected in this way. So with thanks to Tim, here are the names of our bothers and sisters who were killed thirty years ago:

EL MOZOTE

1. DOMINGO CLAROS, 29, wood cutter
2. CRISTINO AMAYA CLAROS, 9, son of Domingo Claros
3. MARIA DOLORES AMAYA CLAROS, 5, daughter of Domingo Claros
4. MARTA LILIAN CLAROS, 3, daughter of Domingo Claros
5. MARIA ISABEL AMAYA CLAROS, 8 months, daughter of Domingo Claros
6. ISIDRA CLAROS, 60, aunt of Domingo Claros
7. BONIFACIA RODRIGUEZ OR ANASTACIA ARGUETA, 65
8. LEONISIA RODRIGUEZ OR DIONISIA RODRIGUEZ, 27, seamstress daughter of Bonifacia Rodriguez
9. VILMA RODRIGUEZ, 2, daughter of Dionisia Rodriguez and Manuel Alvarenda
10. MARTINA RODRIGUEZ, 35, daughter of Bonifacia Rodriguez and sister of Dionisia and Vilma Rodriguez
11. RUPERTO CHICAS, 40, farmer, hushand of Martina Rodriguez
12. MIRNA CHICAS, 10, daughter of Martina Rodriguez and Ruperto Chicas
13. Child, 6, son of Martina Rodriguez and Ruperto Chicas
14. CHILD, 4, daughter of Martina Rodriguez and Ruperto Chicas
15. CHILD, 3, son of Martina Rodriguez and Ruperto Chicas
16. CHILD, 1, son of Martina Rodriguez and Ruperto Chicas
17. CONCEPCION MARQUEZ, 75
18. JULIA CLAROS, 30, daughter of Concepcion Marquez
19. ALBERTA CLAROS, 18, daughter of Julia Claros
20. CHILD, 1, daughter of Alberta Claros
21. FRANCISCA CLAROS, 11, daughter of Julia Claros
22. CHILD, 7, daughter of Julia Claros
23. ANTOLINA CLAROS, 28
24. FRANCISCA CLAROS, 16, daughter of Antolina Claros
25. Claudio Del Cid, 20, carpenter, companion of Francisca Claros
26. CHILD, 6 months old, daughter of Francisca Claros and Claudio Del Cid
27. MARIA DEL CID, 60, mother of Claudio Del Cid
28. GIRL, 15, daughter of Antolina Claros
29. CHILD, 11, daughter of Antolina Claros
30. OSCAR CLAROS, 7, son of Antolina Claros
31. JESUS CLAROS, 5, daughter of Antolina Claros
32. LEONISIA CLAROS, 25, daughter of Concepcion Marquez and sister of Antolina Claros
33. FABIAN LUNA, 20, day laborer, companion of Leonisia Claros
34. CHILD, 5, daughter of Leonisia Claros and Fabian Luna
35. LUCIO CLAROS, 2 1/2, son of Leonisia Claros and Fabian Luna
36. CHILD, 7 months old, daughter of Leonisia Claros and Fabian Luna
37. Emilia CLAROS, 35, daughter of Concepcion Marquez and sister of Antolina and Francisca Claros
38. MELESIO ARGUETA ALVARENGA, 40, day laborer, husband of Emilia Claros
39. PRISCILIO CLAROS, 7, son of Emilia Claros and Melesio Argueta
40. GIRL, 18, daughter of Emilia Claros and Melesio Argueta
41. CHILD, 10 months old, daughter of victim #40 and granddaughter of Emilia Claros and Melesio Argueta
42. ISABEL ARGUETA, 6, daughter of Emilia Claros and Melesio Argueta
43. CHILD, 4, son of Emilia Claros and Melesio Argueta
44. CHILD, 2, son of Emilia Claros and Melesio Argueta
45. COSME ARGUETA, 45, sister of Melesio Argueta
46. ISRAEL MARQUEZ, 80, merchant
47. PAUIA MARQUEZ, 60, wife of Israel Marquez
48. ELVIRA MARQUEZ Chicas, 34, pregnant at time of death, niece of Israel Marquez
49. SONIA MAKQuEz OR SONIA CHICAS, 5, daughter of Elvira Marquez and Leonardo Marquez Del Cid (victim #51)
50. GIRL, 19, daughter of Israel Marquez
51. LEONARDO MARQUEZ DEL CID, 40, farmer, father of Sonia Marquez (victim #49)
52. BALBINO MARQUEZ DEL CID, 60, farmer, father of Leonardo Marquez
53. FRANCISCA DEL CID, 55, wife of Balbino Marquez
54. ORBELINA MARQUEZ, 45, seamstress, companion of Leonardo Marquez Del Cid
55. BRUNO CLAROS, 50, farmer
56. HORTENSA ROMERO MARQUEZ, 39, wife of Bruno Claros
57. MATILDE PEREIRA, 70, farmer, father of Brullo Claros
58. RODOLFO CLAROS, 15, brother of Bruno Claros
59. CHILD, 5, ward of Bruno Claros
60. BOY, 18, son of Bruno Claros and Hortensia Romero
61. GIRL, 16, daughter of Bruno Claros and Hortensia Romero
62. EVA ROMERO, 11, daughter of Bruno Claros and Hortensia Romero
63. IRMA ROMERO, 9, daughter of Bruno Claros and Hortensia Romero
64. BRUNO CLAROS, 7, son of Bruno Claros and Hortensia Romero
65. HIPOLITA CLAROS, 13, daughter of Domingo Claros (victim #I)
66. MARIA CONCEPCION ROMERO, 44, mother of Hipolita Claros
67. MELESIO Diaz, 65, butcher
68. NORBERTA MARQUEZ, 40, companion of Melesio Diaz
69. MARTIR DIAZ, 14, daughter of Melesio Diaz
70. MOISES CLAROS, 75, day laborer
71. MAN, 90, father of Moises Claros
72. EUGENIA CLAROS, 27, maguey spinner, daughter of Moises Claros
73. DAVID CLAROS, 10, son of Eugenia Claros and grandson of Moises Claros
74. CHILD, 6, daughter of Eugenia Claros and granddaughter of Moises Claros
75. CHILD, 8, daughter of Eugenia Claros and granddaughter of Moises Claros
76. CHILD, 3, daughter of Eugenia Claros and granddaughter of Moises Claros
77. CHILD, 2, daughter of Eugenia Claros and granddaughter of Moises Claros
78. CHILD, 9 months old, daughter of Eugenia Claros and granddaughter of Moises Claros
79. BENJAMIN ANTONIO CLAROS, 45, son of Moises Claros
80. ANASTACIA MARQUEZ, 40, pregnant at time of death, companion of Benjamin Antonio Claros
81. MATIAS MARQUEZ, 75, carpenter, father of Anastacia Marquez
82. MARIA ARGUETA, 30, companion of Matias Marquez
83. DOLORES MARQUEZ, 25, pregnant at time of death, daughter of Matias Marquez
84. LUCIO MARQUEZ, 45, day laborer, companion of Dolores Marquez
85. CHILD, 7, son of Dolores Marquez and Lucio Marquez
86. CHILD, 5, son of Dolores Marquez and Lucio Marquez
87. DOMINGA MARQUEZ, 70, mother of Lucio Marquez
88. CHILD, 5, daughter of Benjamin Claros (victim #79) and Anastacia Marquez (victim #80)
89. CHILD, 6, son of Benjamin Claros (victim #79) and Anastacia Marquez (victim #80)
90. CHILD, 9, son of Benjamin Claros (victim #79) and Anastacia Marquez (victim #80)
91. CHILD, 11, son of Benjamin Claros (victim #79) and Anastacia Marquez (victim #80)
92. FRANCISCO Claros, 80, day laborer, cousin of Moises Claros (victim #70)
93. ROGELIA DIAZ, 76, wife of Francisco Claros
94. BOY, 16, paralyzed, grandson of Francisco Claros
95. PAULINA MARQUEZ CLAROS or PAULINA CLAROS or PAULINA DIAZ, 60
96. TELESFORO MARQUEZ, 35, deaf and mute, son of Paulina Marquez
97. LORENZO CLAROS OR LORENZO DIAZ, 25, son of Paulina Marquez and brother of Telesforo Marquez
98. EUGENIO VIGIL, 60, farmer
99. AGUSTINA VIGIL, 25, pregnant at time of death, daughter of Eugenio Vigil
100. CHILD, 7, daugllter of Agustina Vigil
101. MARCELINA VIGIL, 22, daughter of Eugenio Vigil
102. DIONISIO MARQUEZ, 20, day laborer, husband of Marcelina Vigil
103. MIGUEL MARQUEZ, 70, day laborer, father of Dionisio Marquez
104. CHILD, 5, son of Dionisio Marquez
105. CHILD, 9 months old, daughter of Dionisio Marquez
106. MARFA ANSELMA MARQUEZ, 25, pregnant at time of death, daughter of Miguel Marquez
107. ARIURO GIDIO Chicas, 39, day laborer, companion of Anselma Marquez
108. LUCIA MARQUEZ, 14, daughter of Maria Anselma Marquez and Arturo Gidio Chicas
109. DORA MARQUEZ, 11, daughter of Maria Anselma Marquez and Arturo Gidio Chicas
110. CHILD, 7, daughter of Maria Anselma Marquez and Arturo Gidio Chicas
111. CHILD, 5, daughter of Maria Anselma Marquez and Arturo Gidio Chicas
112. CHILD, 1, son of Maria Anselma Marquez and Arturo Gidio Chicas
113. GIRL, 18, daughter of Miguel Marquez (victim #103)
114. CHILD, 2 days old, grandson of Miguel Marquez
115. MARTO VIGIL, 75, farmer, brother of Eugenio Vigil (victim #98)
116. PAULA DIAZ, 75, wife of Marto Vigil
117. DOMINGA DIAZ, 30, ward of Marto Vigil
118. CHILD, 5, daughter of Dominga Diaz
1l9. MAGDALENA DIAZ, 60, sister of Paula Diaz
120. GIRL, 19, daughter of Magdalena Diaz
121. GIRL, 16, daughter of Magdalena Diaz
122. CESARIO MArQuEz, 70, farmer
123. CLEMENTINA PEREIRA or CLEMENTINA ARGUETA, 60, wife of Cesario
Marquez
124. GIRL, 15, daughter of Cesario Marquez
125. GIRL, 14, daughter of Cesario Marquez
126. CHILD, 1 l, son of Cesario Marquez
127. HILDA MARQUEZ, 25, pregnant at time of death, daughter of Cesario Marquez
128. CHILD, 6, daughter of Hiilda Marquez and Felipe Argueta
129. CHILD, 4, son of llilda Mar4uez and Felipe Argueta
130. Child, 3, son of Hilda Marquez and Felipe Argueta
131. CHILD, 1, daughter of Hilda Marquez and Felipe Argueta
132. FILOMENA CLAROS, 50, daughter of Concepcion Marquez (victim #17)
133. CHILD, 11, son of Filomena Claros
134. BOY, 18, day laborer, son of Filomena Claros
135. GIRL, 14, daughter of Filomena Claros
136. CHILD, 7, son of Filomena Claros
137. CHILD, 5, son of Filomena Claros
138. ASCENCI6N MARQUEZ, 39, day laborer, brother of Concepcion Marquez (victim #17)
139. SUSANA CLAROS, 48
140. EUGENIA CLAROS, 30, pregnant at time of death, daughter of Susana Claros and companion of Ascencion Marquez
141. JESUS CLAROS, 10, son of Ascencion Marquez and Eugenia Claros
142. ROSITa CLAROS, 5, daughter of Ascencion Marquez and Eugenia
Claros
143. CHILD, 7, son of Ascencion Marquez and Eugenia Claros
144. CHILD, 3, son of Ascencion Marquez and Eugenia Claros
145. CHILD, 2, daughter of Ascencion Marquez and Eugenia Claros
146. ANDREA DEL CID, 60
147. VICENTA DEL CID, 80, sister of Andrea Del Cid
148. ROSA DEL CID, 20, pregnant at time of death, daughter of Andrea Del Cid
149. EMELY DEL CID, 4, son of Rosa Del Cid
150. MAURICIO DEL CID, 9 months, son of Rosa Del Cid
151. ANGELA DEL CID, 5, daughter of Rosa Del Cid
152. LEONCIO DIAZ, 105, a butcher in his youth
153. LEONCIA MArQuEz, 100, companion of Leoncio Diaz
154. GILBERTO SORTO, 25, farmer
155. FELICITA VIGIL, 20, wife of Gilberto Sorto
156. ANACLETA SORT0, 65, mother of Gilberto Sorto
157. CHILD, 5, son of Gilberto Sorto and Felicita Vigil
158. CHILD, 3, son of Gilberto Sorto and Felicita Vigil
159. MARTINA ARGUETA, 35
160. CHILD, 12, daughter of Martina Argueta
161. CHILD, 9, son of Martina Argueta
162. CHILD, 7, son of Martina Argueta
163. CHILD, 2, daughter of Martina Argueta
164. ONOFRE ARGUETA, 19
165. CHILD, 11, daughter of Onofre Argueta
166. CHILD, 9, son of Onofre Argueta
167. CHILD, 7, son of Onofre Argueta
168. CHILD, 5, daughter of Onofre Argueta
169. CHILD, 3, son of Onofre Argueta
170. GERTRUDIS GUEVARA, 80, day laborer
171. MARCELINA MARQUEZ, 25, companion of Gertrudis Guevara
172. TOMAS MARQUEZ, 5, son of Gertrudis Guevara and Marcelina Marquez
173. CHILD, 3 months old, daughter of Gertrudis Guevara and Marcelina Marquez
174. SEGUNDO CHICAS, 25, day laborer
175. SATURNINA ROMERO, 25, companion of Segundo Chicas
176. CHILD, 9 months old, daughter of Segundo Chicas and Saturnina Romero
177. CHILD, 10, son of Segundo Chicas and Saturnina Romero
178. CHILD, 7, son of Segundo Chicas and Saturnina Romero
179. CHILD, 5, son of Segundo Chicas and Saturnina Romero
180. FACUNDO CIIICAS, 25, brother of Segundo Chicas
181. MELDA MARQUEZ CHICAS, 25, wife of Facundo Chicas
182. CHILD, 12, son of Facundo Chicas and Melda Marquez
183. CHILD, 10, son of Facundo Chicas and Melda Marquez
184. CHILD, 9, son of Facundo Chicas and Melda Marquez
185. CHILD, 7, son of Facundo Chicas and Melda Marquez
186. CHILD, 2, son of Facundo Chicas and Melda Marquez
187. ANSELMA DE MARQUEZ, 80
188. CHON MARQUEZ, 22, mentally retarded son of Anselma de Marquez
189. DOROTEO N., 60, day laborer
190. FERNANDO GUEVARA, 60, farmer
191. FLORINDA DEL CID DE GUEVARA, 58, an amputee (one leg), wife of Fernando Guevara and sister of Francisca Del Cid (victim #53)
192. MARIA ROMERO, 45, merchant, a widow
193. LUCAS GUEVARA, 35, day laborer
194. ANDRES GUEVARA, 50, day laborer, father of Lucas Guevara
195. RUFINA ROMERO, 35, companion of Lucas Guevara
196. TELMA ROMERO, 12, daughter of Lucas Guevara and Rufina Romero
197. ROSITA ROMERO, lo, daughter of Lucas Guevara and Rufina Romero
198. CANDELARIA ROMERO, 6, daugllter of Lucas Guevara and Rufina Romero
199. JOAQUIN ROMERO, 7, son of Lucas Guevara and Rufina Romero
200. JOSE ROMERO, 6 months, son of Lucas Guevara and Rufina Romero
201. BENITO ROMERO, 3o, day laborer, son of Maria Romero (victim #192)
202. FLORENTINA DEL CID, 25, companion of Benito Romero
203. LUCIA DEL CID, 10, daughter of Benito Romero and Florentina Del Cid
204. CAMILO DEL CID, 7, son of Benito Romero and Florentina Del Cid
20f. ROSITA DEL CID, 4, daughter of Benito Romero and Florentina Del Cid
206. CHILD, 1, daughter of Benito Romero and Florentina Del Cid
207. EDUARDO DIAZ OR EDUARDO CLAROS, 30, day laborer
208. CARMEN CLAROS, 18, companion of Eduardo Claros
209. JUBENCIO DIAZ, 10, son of Eduardo Diaz
210. CLICERIO DIAZ, 3, son of Eduardo Diaz
211. JOSE DIAZ, 5, son of Eduardo Diaz
212. DECIDERIO Diaz OR DECIDERIO CLAROS, 50, farmer, father of Eduardo Diaz
213. MARIA MARQUEZ OR MARIA GUEVARA, 40, companion of Deciderio Diaz
214. SANTOS MARQUEZ OR SANTOS GUEVARA, 20, daughter of Maria Marquez
215. ELADIO ClAROS, 25, day laborer, son of Deciderio Diaz and companion of Santos Marquez
216. DORIS CLAROS, 16, daughter of Eladio Claros and Santos Guevara
217. Child,13, son of Eladio Claros and Santos Guevara
218. Child, 11, daughter of Eladio Claros and Santos Guevara
219. CHILD, 8, son of Eladio Claros and Santos Guevara
220. Child, 5, daughter of Eladio Claros and Santos Guevara
221. VIRGINIA CLAROS, 16, sister of Eduardo Claros (victim #207)
222. OLAYO ClAROS, 15, day laborer, brother of Eduardo Claros (victim #207)
223. MARTINA CLAROS, 15, pregnant at time of death, companion of Olayo Claros
224. FRANCISCA CLAROS, 18, sister of Eduardo Claros (victim #207)
225. IGNACIO GUEVARA, 60, farmer
226. PETO DIAZ, 50, farmer
227. ANDREA MARQUEZ, 45, companion of Peto Diaz
228. VICTORIANA DIAZ MARQUEZ, 30, daughter of Peto Diaz and Andrea Marquez
229. LOCADIO DIAZ MARQUEZ, 18, son of Peto Diaz and Andrea Marquez
230. UGENIA DIAZ MARQUEZ, 14, daughter Of Peto Diaz and Andrea Marquez
231. CHILD, 4, son of Victoriana Diaz Marquez
232. CHILD, 1, son of Victoriana Diaz Marquez
233. SALOME MARQUEZ, 25, day laborer
234. MARTA MARQUEZ VIGil, 50
235. MARGARITA MARQUEZ CLAROS, 25, daughter of Marta Marquez
236. LIRIA MARQUEZ, 7, daughter of Margarita Marquez
237. DINORA MARQUEZ, 6, daughter of Margarita Marquez
238. AMPARO MARQUEZ, 4, daughter of Margarita Marquez
239. ROSITA MARQUEZ, 2, daughter of Margarita Marquez
240. MIRIAM MARQUEZ, 1, daughter of Margarita Marquez
241. CLEOTILDE MARQUEZ, 60, sister of Marta Marquez
242. COSME DIAZ, 80, day laborer
243. JOSE MARCOS DIAZ, 34, merchant
244. ROSA PEREIRA, 22, wife of Jose Marcos Diaz
245. IRMA YANET DIAZ, 4, daughter of Jose Marcos Diaz and Rosa Pereira
246. LORENA PEREIRA, 3, daughter of Jose Marcos Diaz and Rosa Pereira
247. AMiLCAR PEREIRA, 2 months, son of Jose Marcos Diaz and Rosa Pereira
248. MAURA PEREIRA, 10, student, goddaughter of Jose Marcos Diaz
249. ALEXANDRO DIAZ, 60, merchant, father of Jose Marcos Diaz
250. MARIA MARQUEZ, 50, companion of Alejandro Diaz
251. RAMoN MARQUEZ DIAZ, 18, merchant, son of Alejandro Diaz
252. SANTOS MARQUEZ, 40, farmer
253. AGUSTINA GARCIA, 35, companion of Santos Marquez
254. RENE MARQUEZ, 11, student, son of Santos Marquez and Agustina Garcia
255. EDI MARQUEZ, 5, daughter of Santos Marquez and Agustina Garcia
256. CHILD, 2, daughter of Santos Marquez and Agustina Garcia
257. FELIX DEL CID, 19, day laborer
258. ESTANISLAO CHICAS, 75, blind man
259. ANGELICA MARQUEZ, 45, seamstress, wife of Estanislao Chicas
260. CARLOS CHICAS, 25, blind, son of Estanislao Chicas and Angelica Marquez
261. NARCISA MARQUEZ, 20, companion of Carlos Chicas
262. CHILD, 5, daughter of Carlos Chicas and Narcisa Marquez
263. CHILD, 3, daughter of Carlos Chicas and Narcisa Marquez
264. CHILD, 2, daughter of Carlos Chicas and Narcisa Marquez
265. ANTONIO CHICAS, 15, student, brother of Carlos Chicas and son of Estanislao Chicas
266. HUMBERTO CHICAS, 13, son of Estanislao Chicas and Angelica Marquez
267. ESTANISLAO GUEVARA, 30, day laborer
268. FELIPA DIAZ, 25, companion of Estanislao Guevara
269. CHILD, 8, son of Estanislao Guevara and Felipa Diaz
270. CHILD, 7, son of Estanislao Guevara and Felipa Diaz
271. CHILD, 6, son of Estanislao Guevara and Felipa Diaz
272. NATIVIDAD ARGUETA, 80
273. MARTINA DIAZ, 65, maguey spinner, wife of Natividad Argueta
274. DANIEL ROMERO, 48, farmer
275. FLORENTINA PEREIRA, 42, wife of Daniel Romero
276. ANA MARIA ROMERO, 16, daughter of Daniel Romero and Florentina Pereira
277. JESUS SALvADoR ROMERO, 13, son of Daniel Romero and Florentina Pereira
278. ELMER NicoLAs MARQUEZ, 2, ward of Daniel Romero
279. LEONCIO DIAZ, 60, merchant
280. EDILFONZA DIAZ, 68, wife of Leoncio Diaz
281. JOSE MARIA MARQUEZ, 60, day laborer
282. DONATILA PEREIRA, 45, seamstress, companion of Jose Maria
Marquez
283. SofiA MARQuez, 25, daughter of Jose Maria Marquez and Donatila Pereira
284. OSCAR MARQUEZ, 19 son of Jose Maria Marquez and Donatila Pereira
285. CHILD, 7, son of Sofia Marquez
286. CHILD, 3, son of Sofia Marquez
287. CHILD, 2, son of Sofia Marquez
288. EVENOR MARQUEZ, 17, day laborer, son of Jose Maria Marquez and Donatila Pereira
289. MARIA FREDY MARQUEZ, 14, student, daughter of Jose Maria Marquez and Donatila Pereira
290. CHILD, 3, daughter of Jose Maria Marquez and Donatila Pereira
291. CAYETANo ARGUETA, 60, day laborer
292. MARIA ANGELA GUEVARA, 50, companion of Cayetano Argueta
293. CHILD, 12, student, son of Cayetano Argueta and Maria Angela Guevara
294. CHILD, 10, student, son of Cayetano Argueta and Maria Angela Guevara
295. FLORENCIO ARGUETA DEL CID, 62, day laborer
296. MARIA Valentina ARGUETA MARQUEZ, 30, daughter of Florencio Argueta Del Cid
297. AGUSTINA ARGUETA MARQUEZ, 22, daughter of Florencio Argueta Del Cid
298. MARIA MARTIR ARGUETA MARQUEZ, 23, daughter of Florencio Argueta Del Cid
299. JUAN FRANCISCO ARGUETA MARQUEZ, 10, son of Florencio Argueta Del Cid
300. LUCIO MARQUEZ, 24, day laborer, husband of Maria Valentina Argueta Marquez (victim #296)
301. EEVARISTO MARQUEZARGUETA, 8, son of Maria Valentina Argueta Marquez and Lucio Marquez
302. ANTONIO MARQUEZARGUETA, 5, son of Maria Valentina Argueta Marquez and Lucio Marquez
303. CRISTINO MARQUEZARGUETA, 2, son of Maria Valentina Argueta Marquez and Lucio Marquez
304. CELESTINO MARQUEZARGUETA, 1, son of Maria Valentina Argueta Marquez and Lucio Marquez
305. TIMOTEO ARGUETA MARQUEZ, 30, day laborer, husband of Agustina Argueta Marquez (victim #297)

306. SANTOS ARGUETA MARQUEZ, 9, student, son of Agustina Argueta Marquez and Timoteo Argueta Marquez
307. JESUS ARGUETA MARQUEZ, 6, son of Agustina Argueta Marquez and Timoteo Argueta Marquez
308. ISABEL ARGUETA MARQUEZ, 4, daughter of Agustina Argueta Marquez and Timoteo Argueta Marquez
309. SANTOS CLAROS, 30, day laborer, companion of Maria Martir Argueta Marquez (victim #298)
310. ARMANDO ARGUETA CLAROS, 8 months, son of Maria Martir Argueta Marquez and Santos Claros
311. ANTONIO MARQUEZ, 35, day laborer
312. EDUVINA MARQUEZ, 25, sister of Antonio Marquez
313. MONICA DIAZ, 80, murdered in the area of Tierra Colorada, jurisdiction of Arambala
314. LORENZO CLAROS, 7, grandson of Monica Diaz
315. ROFELIA ORELLANA, 70, murdered in the area of Tierra Colorada, jurisdiction of Arambala
316. EDUARDO HERNANDEZ, 70, day laborer, murdered in the area of Tierra Colorada, jurisdiction of Arambala
317. SARA N., 75, companion of Eduardo Hernandez, murdered in the area of Tierra Colorada, jurisdiction of Arambala
318. LUCITA CHICAS, 35, niece of Israel Marquez (victim #46)
319. EFRIAN RAMOS OR EFRIAN MARQUEZ, 40, merchant, husband of Lucita Chicas
320. CHILD, 2, son of Efrain Ramos
321. Child, 4, son of Efrain Ramos
322. CHILD, 12, son of Efrain Ramos
323. ANTONIA GUEVARA, 35
324. CHILD, 5, son of Antonia Guevara
325. CHILD, lo, student, niece of Antonia Guevara
326. CHILD, 8, student, nephew of Antonia Guevara
327. CHILD, 6, student, nephew of Antonia Guevara
328. CHILD, 3, student, nephew of Antonia Guevara
329. FLORINDA Diaz, 60
330. Neftali MARQUEZ, 40, day laborer, companion of Florinda Diaz
331. CHILD, 7, ward of Florinda Diaz and Neftali Marquez
332. PERFECTO DIAZ, 64, bricklayer
333. ANDREA MARQUEZ, 40, wife of Perfecto Diaz
334. EUGENIA Diaz MARQUEZ, 20, daughter of Perfecto Diaz and Andrea Marquez
335. CHILD, 3, daughter of Eugenia Diaz Marquez
336. MACARIO DIAZ MARQUEZ, 15, day laborer, son of Perfecto Diaz and Andrea Marquez
337. VICTORINA Diaz MARQUEZ, 16, daughter of Perfecto Diaz and Andrea Marquez
338. CHILD, 3, daughter of Victorina Diaz Marquez and Francisco Argueta
339. CHILD, 2, daughter of Victorina Diaz Marquez and Francisco Argueta
34o. JOSE RAUL DIAZ, 14, day laborer, nephew of Perfecto Diaz
341. JOSE CAYERANO ARGUETA, 40, musician
342. MARIA GUEVARA, 30, companion of Jose Cayetano Argueta
343. SALOME ARGUETA, 18, day laborer, son of Jose Cayetano Argueta and Maria Guevara
344. JOSE ARGUETA, 14, day laborer, son of Jose Cayetano Argueta and Maria Guevara
345. Child, 12, day laborer, son of Jose Cayetano Argueta and Maria Guevara
346. LORENZO ARGUETA, 40, day laborer
347. WOMAN, 18, wife of Jose Argueta
348. SALVADOR MARQUEZ, 65, day laborer
349. MEDARDA DIAZ, 60, wife of Salvador Marquez
350. CRISTINA MARQUEZ, 25, daughter of Salvador Marquez and Medarda Diaz
351. BARTOLOME MARQUEZOR Salome Marquez, 40 son of Salvador Marquez and Medarda Diaz
352. RUFINO MARQUEZ, day laborer, son of Bartolome Marquez
353. CLEMENTINA MARQUEZOR PASITA Diaz, 26, wife of Rufino Marquez
354. WALTER MARQUEZ, 3, son of Rufillo Marquez and Clementina Marquez
355. EDITH MARQUEZ, 12, daughter of Rufino Marquez and Clementina Marquez
356. GLORIA MARQUEZ, 10, daughter of Rufino Marquez and Clementina Marquez
357. NORBERTA DIAZ, 60, wife of Eugenio Vigil
358. JOSE MARIA MARQUEZ, l0, son of Leonardo Marquez (victim #51 and Orbelina Marquez (victim #54)
359. MARIO MARQUEZ, 6, son of Leonardo Marquez (victim #51 and Orbelina Marquez (victim #54)
360. MAXIMINO MARQUEZ, 4, son of Leonardo Marquez (victim #51 and Orbelina Marquez (victim #54)
361. VILMA YANET MARQUEZ, 1, daughter of Leonardo Marquez (victim #51 and Orbelina Marquez (victim #54)
362. MARIA SANTOS PEREIRA ARGUETA, 25
363. MIRIAM RODRIGUEZ PEREIRA, 9, daughter of Maria Santos Pereira Argueta
364. DOLORES RODRIGUEZ PEREIRA, 7, daughter of Maria Santos Pereira Argueta
365. LILiAN ELIZABETH RODRIGUEZ PEREIRA, 6, daughter of Maria Santos Pereira Argueta
366. NILSON RODRIGUEZ OR HERNAN RODRIGUEZ , 4, son of Maria Santos Pereira Argueta
367. EVELIO RODRIGUEZ PEREIRA, 3, son Of Maria Santos Pereira Argueta
368. CHILD, 10 months old, son of Maria Santos Pereira Argueta
369. ISABEL ARGUETA, 65, widow
370. MARGARITA REYNA MARQUEZ, 55
LA JOYA

371. MARIA ROMERO MARTINEZ, 25
372. MARIBEL ROMERO, 5, daughter of Maria Romero Martinez
373. LUPITA ROMERO, 3, daughter of Maria Romero Martinez
374. ARNOLDO ROMERO, 6 months old, son of Maria Romero Martinez
375. MARIA HERIBERTA MARTfNEZ, 30, 9 months pregnant at time of death
376. ANASTACIO CHICAS ROMERO, age unknown, day laborer, companion of Maria Heriberta Martinez
377. DORE CHICAS MARTINEZ, 7, son of Maria Heriberta Martinez and Anastacio Chicas Romero
378. NUNCIACIoN CHICAS MARTINEZ, 3, daughter of Maria Heriberta Martinez and Anastacio Chicas Romero
379. Justiniano CHICAS MARTINEZ, 8, daughter of Maria Heriberta Martinez and Anastacio Chicas Romero
380. PEDRO CHICAS MARTINEZ, 12, daughter of Maria Heriberta Martinez and Anastacio Chicas Romero
381. MARINO CHICAS MARTINEZ, 14, daughter of Maria Heriberta Martinez and Anastacio Chicas Romero
382. DAVID CHICAS MARTINEZ, 1, son of Maria Heriberta Martinez and Anastacio Chicas Romero
383. FELIPA MARTINEZ, 60, mother of Maria Heriberta Martinez
384. VICENTA TORRES, 30
385. DORA TORRES MARTINEZ, 3, daughter of Vicenta Torres
386. CHILD, several months old, daughter of Vicenta Torres
387. CHILD, several months old, daughter of Vicenta Torres
388. VICTORINA CHICAS, 35, maguey spinner
389. LUCRECIA CHICAS, 5, daughter of Victorina Chicas
390. PETRONA CHICAS OR PETRONILA CHICAS, 40
391. CATALINA CHICAS, 8, daughter of Petrona Chicas
392. JUSTINA GUEVARA or JUSTINIANA GUEVARA, 50, maguey spinner
393. JACINTA GUEVARA or JACINTA Diaz, 25, maguey spinner, daughter of Justina Guevara
394. MARIA GUEVARA OR MARIA Diaz, 5, daughter of Jacinta Diaz and granddaughter of Justina Guevara
395. ROQUE GUEVARA OR ROQUE Diaz, 4, son of Jacinta Diaz and grandson of Justina Guevara
396. AMBROSIO GUEVARA, 1, son of Jacinta Diaz and grandson of Justina Guevara
397. JOSEFINA GUEVARA or JOSEFINA HERNANDEZ, 50
398. HILARIA HERNANDEZ, 45, sister of Josefina Hernandez
399. LORENZO VIGIL, 40, day laborer
400. AMINTA VIGIL ARGUETA, 19, daughter of Lorenzo Vigil
401. PEDRITO VIGIL ARGUETA, 10, son of Lorenzo Vigil
402. JOSE WILFREDO VIGIL, 2, son of Aminta Vigil Argueta and grandson of Lorenzo Vigil
403. CHILD, 3, son of Aminta Vigil Argueta and grandson of Lorenzo Vigil
404. MATEA VIGIL, 60, aunt of Lorenzo Vigil
405. CONCEPCION VIGIL, 40, day laborer and maguey spinner, son of Matea Vigil
406. EUGENIA MARTINEZ, 25, companion of Concepcion Vigil
407. LEONARDA MARTINEZ, 60, mother of Eugenia Martinez
408. MARIA MARTINEZ, 6, daughter of Concepcion Vigil and Eugenia Martinez
409. FEDERICO MARTINEZ, 4, son of Concepcion Vigil and Eugenia Martinez
410. CHILD, 6 months old, daughter of Concepcion Vigil and Eugenia Martinez
411. MARIA ARGUETA, 30, sister of Eugenia Martinez
412. CHILD, age unknown, son of Maria Argueta
413. CHILD, age unknown, son of Maria Argueta
414. CHILD, age unknown, daughter of Maria Argueta
415. AQUILINO DIAZ OR AQUILINO SAENZ, 35, day laborer
416. FRANCISCA CHAVARRiA, 40, companion of Aquilino Diaz
417. SANTOS CHAVARRiA, 9, son of Aquilino Diaz and Francisca Chavarria
418. JOSE CHAVARRiA, 8, son of Aquilino Diaz and Francisca Chavarria
419. CHILD, age unknown, daughter of Aquilino Diaz and Francisca Chavarria
420. CHILD, age unknown, daughter of Aquilino Diaz and Francisca Chavarria
421. ESTANISLAO DIAZ, 65, farmer, father of Aquilino Diaz
422. TOMASA MARTINEZ, 70, wife of Estanislao Diaz and mother of Aquilino Diaz
423. DOMINGA CHAVARRiA, 20
424. CHILD, age unknown, son of Dominga Chavarria
425. CHILD, age unknown, son of Dominga Chavarria
426. CHILD, age unknown, son of Dominga Chavarria
427. SEBASTIANA RAMOS, 35
428. PETRONA CHAVARRiA, 50, aunt of Francisca Chavarria (victim #416)
429. TOMASA CHAVARRiA, age unknown, mother of Francisca Chavarria (victim #416)
430. SANTOS CHAVARRiA, 55, brother of Tomasa Chavarria, maguey spinner
431. FAUSTINA CHAVARRiA LUNA, 15, daughter of Santos Chavarria
432. EUSTAQUIA ChavarriaLUNA, 1l, daughter of Santos Chavarria
433. SANTOS ChavarriaLUNA, 5, daughter of Santos Chavarria
434. CHILD, 1, daughter of Santos Chavarria
435. REGINO Chavarria, 65, brother of Santos Chavarria
436. Otilia Hernandez, 30, daugllter of Regino Chavarria
437. JOSE ROSARIO PeREZ, 20, day laborer and maguey spinner, companion of Otilia Hernandez
438. CHILD, age unknown, son of Otilia Hernandez and Jose Rosario Perez
439. CHILD, age unknown, son of Otilia llernandez and Jose Rosario Perez
440. CHILD, age unknown, son of Otilia l-lernandez and Jose Rosario Perez
441. CHILD, age unknown, son of Otilia Hernandez and Jose Rosario Perez
442. MARCIAL PEREZ, 15, maguey spinner, hrother of Jose Rosario Perez
443. AGAPITO LUNA, 23, farmer
444. INES MARTINEZ, 45, day laborer
445. MARGARITA MARTINEZ OR MARGARITA ROMERO, 40, wife of Ines Martinez
446. CRISIINA MARTINEZ, 23, daughter of Margarita Romero and Ines Martinez
447. CRISTINITA MARTINEZ, 9 months old, daughter of Cristina Martinez
448. CHILD, 6, son of Cristina Martinez
449. FACUNDA ROMERO, 25, daughter of Margarita Romero and Ines Martinez
450. MARTA ROMERO, 10, daughter of Facunda Romero
451. CHILD, 8, son of Facunda Romero
452. CHILD, 6, son of Facunda Romero
453. MAN, 22, day laborer, son of Margarita Romero and Ines Martinez
454. BOY, 19, day laborer, son of Margarita Romero and Ines Martinez
455. JACINTO SANCHEZ, 80, day laborer
456. AMELIA SANCHEZ, 95, sister of Jacinto Sanchez
457. DOMINGA SANCHEZ, 30, daughter of Jacinto Sanchez
458. MELA SANCHEZ OR ANGELICA SANCHEZ, 14, daughter of Dominga Sanchez
459. JUANCITO SANCHEZ, 10, student, son of Dominga Sanchez
460. SANTOS SANCHEZ OR SANTOS ARGUETA DE SANCHEZ, 35, wife of Jose Sanchez
461. FIGENIA SANCHEZ, 13, daughter of Jose Sanchez and Santos Sanchez
462. IRMA SANCHEZ, 6, daughter of Jose Sanchez and Santos Sanchez
463. MARIANA SANCHEZ, 4, daughter of Jose Sanchez and Santos Sanchez
464. ESPENTACION SANCHEZ OR PETIO SANCHEZ, 2, son of Jose Sanchez and Santos Sanchez
465. JACINTO SANCHEZ, 3, son of Jose Sanchez and Santos Sanchez
466. CONCEPCION SANCHEZ, 3 days old, daughter of Jose Sanchez and Santos Sanchez
467. REYNELDA LOPEZ OR REYNELDA ELIZABETH LoPEZ, 32
468. ARNOLDO LOPEZ, 10, daughter of Reynelda Lopez
469. EDGAR MARIN LOPEZ, 8, daughter of Reynelda Lopez
470. JOAQUIN LOPEZ, 6, daughter of Keynelda Lopez
471. HERIBERTO LOPEZ, 4, daughter of lteyllelda Lopez
472. JOSE DORE LOPEZ, 2, daughter of Keynelda Lopez
473. JOSE CLEOFAS LOPEZ, 8 months old, daughter of Reynelda Lopez
474. FRANCISCA GoMEZ OR FRANCISCA SANCHEZ, 75, wife of Ismael Lopez
475. PRISCILA Lopez, 22, daughter of Ismael Lopez
476. CHILD, 7 months old, daughter of Priscila Lopez
477. MARIA INES MARTINEZ, 34
478. JESUS MARTINEZ, 8, son of Maria Ines Martinez
479. TEODORO MARTINEZ, 5, son of Maria Ines Martinez
480. MAXIMA MARTINEZ, 50, daughter of Maria Ines Martinez
481. CHILD, 4, son of Maria Ines Martinez
482. GREGORIA MARTINEZ, 24, cousin of Maria Ines Martinez
483. BERNARDA MARTINEZ OR CECILIA MARTINEZ, 12, daughter of Gregoria Martinez
484. ESTHER MARTINEZ, 9, daughter of Gregoria Martinez
485. CHILD, 5, daughter of Gregoria Martinez
486. CHILD, 3, daughter of Gregoria Martinez
487. CHILD, 9 months old, daughter of Gregoria Martinez
488. TEODORA RAMIREZ, 45
489. TRANSITO RAMIREZ, 22
490. RODOLFO RAMIREZ, 8, son of Transito Ramirez
491. FLORITA RAMIREZ, 3, daughter of Transito Ramirez
492. CECILIA RAMIREZ, 85, aunt of Transito Ramirez
493. ALEJANDRA ROMERO, 75
494. CRISTINA GUEVARA, 25
495. CHILD, 3 months old, son of Cristina Guevara
496. SILVERIA MEJIA ROMERO, 25, maguey spinner
497. JESUS MEJIA CHICAS, 10, son of Silveria Mejia Romero
498. MARIA MARTA MEJIA CHICAS, 8, daughter of Silveria Mejia Romero
499. JUANITA MEJIA CHICAS, 6, daughter of Silveria Mejia Romero
500. JOSe LUCAS MEJIA CHICAS, 3 son of Silveria Mejia Romero
501. CHILD, 2, son of Silveria Mejia Romero
502. CHILD, 3 months old, son of Silveria Mejia Romero
503. MARIA MARCOS REYES, 20
504. JOSE FRANCISCO REYES LUNA, 5, son of Maria Marcos Reyes
505. MARIA NELY REYES LUNA, 3, daughter of Maria Marcos Reyes
506. EVARISTO REYES LUNA, 6 months old, son of Maria Marcos Reyes
507. PRESENTACION MARQUEZ, 41, day laborer
508. MARIA MARTIR MARQUEZ, 38, wife of Presentacion Marquez
509. GIRL, 14, daughter of Presentacion Marquez and Maria Martir Marquez
510. CHILD, 11, daughter of Presentacion Marquez and Maria Martir Marquez
511. CHILD, 9, son of Presentacion Marquez and Maria Martir Marquez
512. CHILD, 7, son of Presentacion Marquez and Maria Martir Marquez
513. CHILD, 4, son of Presentacion Marquez and Maria Martir Marquez
514. VICENTA MARQUEZ, 80, widow
515. ENEMESIO RODRiGUEZ OR ENEMESIO GUEVARA, 38, day laborer
516. DONATILA CHICAS or DOMITILA ORELLANA, 30, pregnant at time of death, companion of Enemesio Rodriguez
517. CHILD, 7, daughter of Enemesio Rodriguez and Donatila Chicas
518. CHILD, 5, daughter of Enemesio Rodriguez and Donatila Chicas
519. CHILD, 1, daughter of Enemesio Rodriguez and Donatila Chicas
520. CATARINO RODRIGUEZ or CATARINO GUEVARA, 70, day laborer, father of Enemesio Rodriguez
521. NARCISA MARQUEZ, 68, wife of Catarino Rodriguez
522. MAXIMO RODRIGUEZ, 40, day laborer, son of Catarino Rodriguez and Narcisa Marquez
523. LEONARDA MARQUEZ, 40, wife of Maximo Rodriguez
524. ELENA RODRiGUEZ, 16, daughter of Maximo Rodriguez and Leonarda Marquez
525. HERMINIO RODRIGUEZ, 14, son of Maximo Rodriguez and Leonarda Marquez
526. CAMARO RODRiGUEZ, 12, son of Maximo Rodriguez and Leonarda Marquez
527. CHILD, 6, son of Maximo Rodriguez and Leonarda Marquez
528. CHILD, 4, son of Maximo Rodriguez and Leonarda Marquez
529. FELIX RODRiGUEZ, 30, daughter of Catarino Rodriguez and Narcisa Marquez
530. CHILD, 10, daughter of Felix Rodriguez
531. CHILD, 8, son of Felix Rodriguez
532. CHILD, 6, daughter of Felix Rodriguez
533. CHILD, 4, son of Felix Rodriguez
534. PEDRO ARGUETA, 40, day laborer
535. PEDRO ARGUETA, 35, day laborer, brother of Pedro Argueta
536. JULIA DEl CId, 18, pregnant at time of death
537. HUMBERTO Chicas, 19, day laborer, companion of Julia Del Cid
538. CHILD, 2, son of Julia Del Cid and Humberto Chicas
539. VICENTE MARQUEZ, 60, day laborer
540. SERVANDA MAsQuEz, 28, daughter of Vicente Marquez
541. SERGIO MARQUEZ or SERSIDO MARQUEZ, 25, day laborer, son of Vicente Marquez
542. CHILD, 7, son of Servanda Marquez
543. CHILD, 3, son of Servanda Marquez
544. MONCIIO MARQUEZ, 15, day laborer, husband of Mercedes Pereira, who was killed in Los Toriles
545. TERESA ARGUETA or TERESA RodriGUEZ, 22
546. PEDRO CHICAS, 27, farmer, husband of Teresa Argueta
547. CHILD, age unknown, son of Pedro Chicas and Teresa Argueta
548. Child, age unknown, son of Pedro Chicas and Teresa Argueta
549. CHILD, age unknown, son of Pedro Chicas and Teresa Argueta
550. CHILD, age unknown, son of Pedro Chicas and Teresa Argueta
551. CHILD, 4, daughter of Pedro Chicas and Teresa Argueta
552. CARLOS CLAROS, 25, day laborer
553. LUCAS CHICAS, 20, companion of Carlos Claros
554. RUMALDO MARQUEZ, 30, day laborer
555. MELIDA CHICAS, 24, wife of Rumaldo Marquez
556. CHILD, 8 days old, son of Rumaldo Marquez and Melida Chicas
557. CHILD, 2, son of Rumaldo Marquez and Melida Chicas
558. CHILD, 1 l, daughter of Rumaldo Marquez and Melida Chicas
559. CHILD, 8, daughter of Rumaldo Marquez and Melida Chicas
560. CHILD, 6, daughter of Rumaldo Marquez and Melida Chicas


LOS TORILES

561. NARCISO ARGUETA, 80, farmer, father of Felipe Argueta (killed in El Mozote)
562. ABILIO VIGIl, 43, farmer
563. SATURNINA ARGUETA, 45, companion of Abilio Vigil
564. ESTANISLAO ALVARENGA OR ESTANISI.AO ARGUETA, 60, father of Abilio Vigil
565. JUSTINIANA N., 50, companion of Estanislao Alvarenga
566. SEFERINA VIGII. OR SEFERINA ARGUETA, 15, daughter of Abilio Vigil and Saturnina Argueta
567. FRANCISCO ARGUETA, 13, son of Abilio Vigil and Saturnilla Argueta
568. MARIA ANTONIA ARGUETA, 11, daugilter of Abilio Vigil and Saturilina Argueta
569. MERCEDES ARGuEtA, 9, daughter of Abilio Vigil and Saturnina Argueta
570. MARIA SANTOS ARGUETA, 7, daughter of Abilio Vigil and Saturnina Argueta
571. CHILD, 5, daughter of Abilio Vigil and Saturnina Argueta
572. CHILD, 3, daughter of Abilio Vigil and Saturnina Argueta
573. CHILD, 1, daughtcr of Abilio Vigil and Saturnina Argueta
574. MANUEL ALVARENGA OR MANUEI. SAN10S PEREIRA ARGUETA, 30, day laborer, companion of Adonisia Rodriguez (killed in ElMozote)
575. FLORENTINA PEREIRA, 70, mother of Manuel Santos Argueta
576. PETRONA MARQUEZ, 39
577. HERMINIO MARQUEZ, 41, day laborer, companion of Petrona Marquez
578. MARIA ZOILA MARQUEZ, 17, day laborer, son of Petrona Marquez and Herminio Marquez
579. MARIA CARMEN MARQUEZ, 15, daughter of Petrona Marquez and Herminio Marquez
580. JOSE SANTOS MARQUEZ, daughter of Petrona Marquez and Herminio Marquez
581. MARIA JUANA MARQUEZ, 8, daughter of Petrona Marquez and Herminio Marquez
582. JUAN MARQUEZ, 5, son of Petrona Marquez and Herminio Marquez
583. NICOLASA MARQUEZ, 17 months old, daughter of Petrona Marquez and Herminio Marquez
584. CHILD, 8 days old, son of Petrona Marquez and Herminio Marquez
585. CRESCENCIO ARGUETA, 80, day laborer, stepfather of Orbelina Marquez (victim #54, killed in El Mozote)
586. GIRL, 14, daughter of Crescencio Argueta
587. CHILD, 12, daughter of Gescencio Argueta
588. CHILD, 8, son of Crescencio Argueta
589. NATALIA GUEVARA, 45
590. ROSA CANDIDA PEREIRA, 14, daughter of Natalia Guevara
591. JOSE MARIO PEREIRA, 10, son of Natalia Guevaril
592. SIMEONA VIGIL, 90, mother-in-law of Natalia Guevara
593. BERTOLDINO PERIERA, 70, farmer, son of Simeona Vigil
594. MARIA MARQUEZ, 65, wife of Bertoldino Pereira
595. INES PEREIRA MARQUEZ, 18, day laborer, son or Bertoldino Pereira and Maria Mstirquez
596. CARMEN MARQUEZ, 17, compallioll of Illes Pereira M'lrquez
597. Jose IGNACIO PEREIRA, 25, farmer, son of Bertoldino Pereira and Maria Marquez
598. MERCEDES PEREIRA, 16, daughter of Bertoldillo Pereira and Maria Marquez
599. JESUS PEREIRA, 13, son of Bertoldino Pereira and Maria Marquez
600. JUAN ANGEL PEREIRA, 55, day laborer, son of Simeona Vigil
601. Marto ROMERO, 10, granddaughter of Simeon Vigil
602. MARTO Vigil, 25, day laborer
603. GUILLERMA MARQUEZ, 25, pregnant at time of death, wife of Marto Vigil
604. JOSE VIGIL, 8, son of Marto Vigil and Guillerma Marquez
605. MARIA VIGIL, 7, daughter of Marto Vigil and Guillerma Marquez
606. ANGEL VIGIL MARQUEZ, 6, son of Marto Vigil and Guillerma Marquez
607. CHILD, 4, son of Marto Vigil and Guillerma Marquez
608. CHILD, 2, daughter of Marto Vigil and Guillerma Marquez
609. LUIS VIGIL, 50, day laborer, uncle of Marto Vigil
610. JOSE VIGIL, 30, farmer, cousin of Marto Vigil
611. BERNARDA MARQUEZ, 25, wife of Jose Vigil
612. CHILD, 7, son of Jose Vigil and Bernarda Marquez
613. CHILD, 5, son of Jose Vigil and Bemarda Marquez
614. CHILD, 1, son of Jose Vigil and Bemarda Marquez
615. AGUSTINA MARQUEZ, 46, mother of Bernarda Marquez
616. JOSE DANILO MARQUEZ, 35, farmer
617. MARTA CHICAS, 30, wife of Danilo Marquez
618. JOSE MARQUEZ, 10, son of Danilo Marquez and Marta Chicas
619. CHILD, 8, son of Danilo Marquez and Marta Chicas
620. CHILD, 12, son of Danilo Marquez and Marta Chicas
621. CHILD, 5, son of Danilo Marquez and Marta Chicas
622. CHILD, 1, son of Danilo Marquez and Marta Chicas
JOCOTE ARMIRILLO

623. CELESTINA VIGIL, 50, killed in El Mozote with her children, mother of Florentina Del Cid
624. FLORENTINA DEL CID VIGIL, 30, pregnant at time of death
625. CAMILO DEL CID, 12, son of Florentina Del Cid Vigil
626. JAZMiN DEL CID, 8, son of Florentina Del Cid Vigil
627. CHILD, 3, daughter of Florentina Del Cid Vigil
628. GENOVEVA DIAZ, 60
629. MODESTA N., 40
630. CHILD, 2 months old, son of Modesta N.
631. CHILD, 9, daughter of Modesta N.
632. CIIILD, 6, daughter of Modesta N.
633. LORENZA MARQUEZ, 40
634. BENEDICTO MARQUEZ, 9, son of Lorenza Marquez
635. MODESTO MARQUEZ, 6, son of Lorenza Marquez
636. MARIA BERNAI.DA MARQUEZ, 4, daughter of Lorenza Marquez
637. MARIA ARGUETA, 35
638. SANTOS HERNANDEZ, 12, student, son of Maria Argueta
639. CHILD, 10 months old, son of Maria Argueta


CERRO PANDO

640. SATURNINA DIAZ, 22
641. EUSEBIA DIAZ, 10, daughter of Saturnina Diaz
642. ESTELA DIAZ, 2, niece of Saturnina Diaz
643. CHILD, 20 days old, daughter of Saturnina Diaz
644. ANTOLIN DIAZ, 22, maguey spinner
645. TOMASA ARGUETA, 20, companion of Antolin Diaz
646. CHILD, 3, son of Antolin Diaz and Tomasa Argueta
647. CHILD, 2, son of Antolin Diaz and Tomasa Argueta
648. CHILD, 15 days old, daughter of Antolin Diaz and Tomasa Argueta
649. JUAN CHICAS, 29, maguey spinner
650. CIRIACA ARGUETA, 30, companion of Juan Chicas
651. LUCIANO CHICOS ARGUETA, 15, maguey spinner, son of Juan Chicas
652. GERVASIO CHICAS ARGUETA, 12, maguey spinner, son of Juan Chicas
653. TRANSITO CHICAS ARGUEtA, 9, son of Juan Chicas
654. NICOLASA CHICAS ARGUETA, 6, daughter of Juan Chicas
655. DIONISIO ARGUETA OR LEONISIO ArgUETA, 32, maguey spinner
656. FELIX PORTILLO or FELIX DIAZ, 29, companion of Dionisio
Argueta
657. CHILD, 10, daughter of Dionisio Argueta and Felix Portillo
658. CHILD, 7, daughter of Dionisio Argueta and Felix Portillo
659. REGINO ARGUETA, 40, maguey spinner, hrother of Dionisio
Argueta
660. MARTIR PORTILLO, 35, wife of Regino Argueta
661. MATILDE ARGUETA PORTILLO, 16, day laborer, son of Regino Argueta and Martir Portillo
662. FILIBERTA CHICAS, 16, companion of Matilde Argueta
663. GERARDO ARGUETA, 29, maguey spinner
664. JUANA ARGUETA, 24, companion of Gerardo Argueta
665. CHILD, 9, daughter of Gerardo Argueta and Juana Argueta
666. MIGUEL ARGUETA, 25, maguey spinner
667. DOMINGA ARGUETA, 22, companion of Miguel Argueta
668. CHILD, 5, daughter of Miguel Argueta and Dominga Argueta
669. CHILD, 3, daughter of Miguel Argueta and Dominga Argueta
670. CHILD, 2, daughter of Miguel Argueta and Dominga Argueta
671. CATARINO ARGUETA, 65, maguey spinner, fatiler of Ciriaca Argueta (victim #650)
672. FRANCISCA ARGUETA, 70, wife of Catarino Argueta
673. TIMOTEO ARGUeTA, 28, artisan, son of Catarino Argueta and Francisca Argueta
674. ROMANA PEREIRA, 28, companion of Timoteo Argueta
675. GIRL, 1s, daughter of Timoteo Argueta and Romana Pereira
676. CHILD, 8, son of Timoteo Argueta and Komana Pereira
677. CHILD, 5, son of Timoteo Argueta and Romana Pereira
678. JORGEN ARGUETA, 80, mother of Dionisio Argueta (victim #655)
679. GENARO ARGUETA, 82, farmer, companion of Jorgen Argueta
680. EDILFONZO ARGUETA, 51, farmer, son of Jorgen Argueta and
Genaro Argueta
681. LOLA MARTINEZ, 20
682. CHILD, 8, daughter of Lola Martinez
683. LUCIO ARGUETA, 24, day laborer, son of Catarino Argueta (victim #671) and Francisca Argueta (victim #672)
684. WOMAN, 22, companion of Lucio Argueta
685. CHILD, 3, son of Lucio Argueta
686. CHILD, 2, son of Lucio Argueta
687. JUSTO MARTINEZ, 45, locksmith
688. ANGELA ARGUETA, 33, wife of Justo Martinez
689. TOMAS MARTINEZ ARGUETA, 20, son of Justo Martinez and Angela Argueta
690. DIONISIA MARTINEZ, 18, companion of Tomas Martinez Argueta
691. Child, 2 months old, son of Tomas Martinez Argueta and Dionisia
Martinez
692. ESTEBAN MARTINEZ ARGUETA, 16, son of Justo Martillez and Angela Argueta
693. BOY, 14, son of Justo Martinez and Angela Argueta
694. CHILD, 12, daughter of Justo Martinez and Angela Argueta
695. CHILD, 9, daughter of Justo Martinez and Angela Argueta
696. MAXIMO ARGUETA, 30, maguey spinner, son of Catarino Argueta (victim #671)
697. HERIBERTA RAMOS, 28, companion of Maximo Argueta
698. BoY, 15, son of Maximo Argueta and Heriberta Ramos
699. Boy, 13, son of Maximo Argueta and Heriberta Ramos
700. CHILD, 10, son of Maximo Argueta and Heriberta Ramos
701. CHILD, 8, son of Maximo Argueta and Heriberta Ramos
702. MATEO LoPEZ, 55, maguey spinner
703. AGUSTINA MARTINEZ, 30, wife of Mateo Lopez
704. GIRl, 15, daughter of Mateo Lopez and Agustina Martinez
705. CHILD, 12, daughter of Mateo Lopez and Agustina Martinez
706. CHILD, 9, daughter of Mateo Lopez and Agustina Martinez
707. CHILD, 6, son of Mateo Lopez and Agustina Martinez
708. VITOR MARTINEZ, 60, mother of Agustina Martinez
709. JESUS LUNA, 78, day laborer, companion of Vitor Martinez
710. CATARINO MARTINEZ, 26, maguey spinner, son of Vitor Martinez
711. FERMINA CHICAS, 24, companion of Catarino Martinez
712. CHILD, 10, son of Catarino Martinez and Fermina Chicas
713. CHILD, 7, son of Catarino Martinez and Fermina Chicas
714. CHILD, 5, son of Catarino Martinez and Fermina Chicas
715. MARTiN MARTINEZ, 32, maguey spinner, brother of Catarino Martinez
716. FERMINA ARGUETA, 29, companion of Martin Martinez
717. CHILD, 10, daughter of Martin Martinez and Fermina Argueta
718. CHILD, 7, daughter of Martin Martinez and Fermina Argueta
719. CHILD, 5, son of Martin Martinez and Fermina Argueta
720. PABLO CHICAS, 28, maguey spinner
721. DIONISIA ARGUETA OR LEONISIA MEjiA, 24, companion of Pablo Chicas
722. GIRL, 13, daughter of Pablo Chicas and Dionisia Argueta
723. ANDRES CHICAS ARGUETA, 11, son of Pablo Chicas and Dionisia Argueta
724. CHILD, 9, daughter of Pablo Chicas and Dionisia Argueta
725. CHILD, 6, son of Pablo Chicas and Dionisia Argueta
726. NASARIA ARGUETA, 70, mother of Diollisia Argueta
727. RAFAEL ARGUETA MEJiA, 27, maguey spiniler, son of Nasaria Argueta
728. LEONCIA ARGUETA, 24, companion of Rafael Argueta Mejia
729. CHILD, 5, son of Rafael Argueta Mejia and Leoncia Argueta
73o CHILD, 2, daughter of Rafael Argueta Mejia and Leoncia Argueta
731. TIBURCIO MEJIA, 35, day laborer, son of Nasaria Argueta
732. ELOISA PORTILLO or ARCADIA PORTILLO, 30, companion of Tiburcio Mejia
733. MARIA MEJIA, 29, daughter of Nasaria Argueta
734. ANDRES FLORES, 48, day laborer, companion of Maria Mejia
735. COLASTICO MEJIA, 40, maguey spinner, cousin of Maria Mejia
736. BRUNA ARGUETA, 42, companion of Colastico Mejia and daughter of Jorgen Argueta (victim #678) and Genaro Argueta (victim #679)
737. GIRL, 15, daughter of Colastico Mejia and Bruna Argueta
738. CHILD, 12, daughter of Colastico Mejia and Bruna Argueta
739. CHILD, 9, daughter of Colastico Mejia and Bruna Argueta
740. SINFOROSO PEREIRA, 30, day laborer
741. EUGENIA DIAZ, 28, companion of Sinforoso Pereira
742. CHILD, 8, son of Sinforoso Pereira and Eugenia Diaz
743. MARIA RAMOS, 75, widow
744. PATRICIA ARGUETA, 75, artisan
745. MIGUEL ARGUETA, 58, farmer
746. EDILFONZA ARGUETA, 48, companion of Edilfonzo Argueta (victim #680)
747. AURELIA RAMIREZ, 70
748. SUSANA RAMIREZ, 32, daughter of Aurelia Ramirez
749. ENEMESIA LUNA, 75, widow

751. CONCEPCION PORTILLO, 35, bricklayer
752. DOMINGA PORTILLO, 28, seamstress, wife of Concepcion Portillo


JOATECA


753. MAXIMO PEREZ, 28, catechist
754. BENEDICTO PEREZ, 10, son of Maximo Perez
755. ESTANISLASA PEREZ, 8, daughter of Maximo Perez
756. ROMULO PEREZ, 4, son of Maximo Perez
757 AGUSTINA PEREZ, 23
758. CHILD, 3 days old, daughter of Agustina Perez
759. CRESCENCIA PEREZ, 18, sister of Maximo Perez
760. CARLOS ORTIZ, 48, day laborer
761. TERESO DE JESUS LUNA, 14, day laborer, deaf and mute
762. NATIVIDAD LUNA, 18, cousin of Tereso de Jesus Luna
763. OCTAVIANA LUNA, 8 months old, daughter of Natividad Luna
764. JULIA N., 12
765. WOMAN, 50
766. GIRL, 15, daughter of victim #765
767. GIRL, 13, daughter of victim #765


[Señor, ten piedad. Cristo, ten piedad. Señor, ten piedad.]

Never again - All the time - November

November seems to be the time for recommitting ourselves to building a creative end to violence.

Last year around this time, we were celebrating Dia de los Difuntos and remembering the massacres at Copapayo and the Central American University. This year, as has happened every year since the 1989 killing of the six Jesuits and two of their colleagues, there was a major demonstration at the School of the Americas at Ft. Benning, Georgia, where the UCA assassins were trained.

Closer to home - far closer to home - more commemorations. November 20 is the Transgender Day of Remembrance. It is an annual day to remember and celebrate the lives of those trans sisters and brothers who have been killed. At a worship service on Friday night, we lit 270 candles to remember the trans people who have been killed throughout the world in the last year. (And those are only the deaths that are known - many murders of trans people go unreported due to fear or police involvement.) One of the angels we remembered was Shelly Moore, who was killed in Detroit last month. This was a brutal act that my mind and soul are still working to comprehend. I avoided posting any articles to facebook for several days because I couldn't find the right words to accompany them. Then I realized, there are no words. But while there is a time and place for powerful silence, this is not one of them.

Shelly's mother was one of the speakers at the commemoration on Friday. We had read through a third of the names, lit a third of the candles, at the point at which she got up to speak. And the first thing she said at the lectern was, "God is good - all the time," to which the congregation replied, "and all the time, God is good." Forget everything else she said - every other powerful word Ms. Nelson spoke about her daughter and her pain. That she could find that profession in the midst of her grief amazes me.

How can a woman who is sitting in the depths of hell be so bold as to proclaim the goodness of God? Last November at the community mass at the Suchitoto cemetery, on the Day of the Beloved Departed, Padre Carlos talked about Mary. Too many of the people gathered remembering their loved ones were there to honor people who had been killed at the hands of the government. Padre Carlos reminded them that Mary and Joseph understood that grief profoundly. In this case, too, I find myself again seeing Mary is a mother who lost her child because she pushed boundaries and frightened people by speaking truth. A mother who can say "God is good - all the time" in the midst of anguish. I find myself without adequate words again, this time from awe.

But I do have "nunca mas" - "never again." How do I bring together "never again" and "all the time, God is good"?

From drowned rat to high and dry

I am sincerely hopeful that I've cashed in my bad bus karma for a good long while to come, all in a day's commute. This morning it rained steadily, not a downpour, but strong enough to soak. My bus stop has no shelter or trees nearby, so it was pretty much me and my coffee mug standing there waiting on the bus to come, which it did - 5 minutes late. Those five minutes made the difference between catching and missing my intended transfer at Rosa Parks Transit Center.

Missing the 21 bus was no big deal, because the 29 also runs by my work from the station. Fine - I hopped that but and arrived on time, soggy, but on time and in decent spirits.

Fast forward to the end of the day. I had calculated yesterday that if I leave work at 4:57, I can be home by 5:30, whereas leaving at 5:10 has me home after 6pm and waiting quite some time for my transfer in between. So I headed out at 5 'til 5, caught my bus (again, a few minutes later than scheduled, but in Minneapolis I frequent the 2, so I'm no stranger to wonky bus punctuality), and got to the station at 5:10 for my 5:15 bus home. 5:20 rolls around and still no bus. 5:40 comes (the departure time for the next bus) and still nothing. 6pm (the next departure time) and nothing - and all the while every other bus is rolling in and out like nothing has happened. By this time there are about 40 of us waiting for the #31.

At 6:20 (70 minutes later and 40 pages further in the book I'm reading), I hopped a bus that runs down a parallel street about a mile and a half south of our house. I took that bus to our cross street and walked up to the house.

The walk was good for me in several ways. I was able to settle my frustration a bit, just being in the cool air, seeing the few fallen leaves and the handful of people who were outside along the way. At the same time, I stayed frustrated at the fact that there were still 40 Eastsiders still waiting for their bus. I have no idea what happened to cause the (at least) triple no-show, but the other folks I was waiting with didn't seem too surprised. And there are any number of reasons why someone would have chosen to keep waiting rather than take the bus I took - having small kids, lots to carry, not being comfortable walking through the area between Jefferson and home, mobility issues.

So I'm frustrated, puzzled, unsurprised by this. A small part of me is glad that I was able to re-craft my plan on the spot, but that's a tiny victory (and mostly proves I can read the marquee on the front of the bus). And as goofy as it sounds, when I got home I was exhausted, just from that experience of waiting and not knowing when the bus would come. I had left work with grand plans of cooking up some of the beautiful produce we were given yesterday. But by the time I arrived at the house, I was beat. I warmed up leftover soup and sat down to President Obama's speech.

Like I said in reference to the 2 bus in Minneapolis - I am no stranger to waiting for buses, even in the bitter cold. But this has me thinking. What are the justice implications of 40 people from the poorest parts of Detroit just getting left at the bus station during afternoon rush hour? If any had to pick up kids from day care, they're looking at extra fees. If any had to meet with a parole officer, they could be looking at jail time. And shoot, if there were any others simply looking forward to cooking and relaxing for the evening, they lost that chance.


It's late and I'm tired, so I'll leave it there, except to say, on an entirely unrelated note: I have decided that the Rosa Parks Transit Center is probably the most aptly-named tribute to any person that I'm aware of. It's the polar opposite of naming an airport after Ronald Reagan. A transit station named after Rosa Parks. Hmm... I want to be the person who thought of that.

Labor Day

The Spirit of God is so often likened to the wind and on this, the coolest day that I've felt in almost 18 months, with a lively breeze that invited me out to the back porch for an hour or so, I do indeed feel as though I've been kissed by the Spirit. It is Labor Day in the US and a day of rest at Spirit of Hope. So it has been a morning of slow, paced cleaning, reading, music, and coffee drinking. Like I said, the wind called me outside and spent the last hour reading under a blanket out back. I'm closing in on 100 pages left in Kathleen Norris' The Cloister Walk and I very much recommend it. It is simple and beautiful, full of poetry and the wisdom of people who lived ages ago but still rings so true I can almost feel the reverb in my feet.


It's Labor Day, and in an hour or so, President Obama will be speaking in here in Detroit about jobs, I would imagine. And workers. I have such difficulty knowing how to feel about his time as president. I can pretty easily convince myself from one way to the other in a matter of moments, which gets exhausting sometimes! Maybe I ought to let myself live in the frustration - or better described, the discomfort - of not being sure. Leave the door open. Leaving the door open does not preclude living with expectations, however.


It's Labor Day, meaning that this weekend is the Detroit International Jazz Festival. And international though it may be, I still get to see some hometown talent, since the Steeles are in town performing this afternoon as part of the festival. I'm excited to go downtown to see them - and equally excited that the outing will require a scarf!


Things continue well on the work front. My supervisor is great. We have a new turkey - a ladyfriend for Uncle Bob, whom we are calling Auntie Roberta. (Yes, those are my dad's name and my mom's middle name. No further comment, except to say I had nothing to do with the names. :) Casa Yusef Shakur continues to cook good food, listen to excellent music, see interesting speakers and fun movies, and get to know the D. Tomorrow my supervisor is giving me a walking tour of the neighborhood surrounding the church, after which I can start going out and having conversations with folks about what they need in the way of HIV services and how Spirit of Hope and play a part in meeting those needs. I'm really looking forward to that.

Think of yourself and say

Think of Others
by Mahmoud Darwish

As you prepare your breakfast – think of others.
Don’t forget to feed the pigeons.
As you conduct your wars – think of others.
Don’t forget those who want peace.
As you pay your water bill – think of others.
Think of those who only have clouds to drink from.
As you go home, your own home – think of others – don’t forget those who live in tents.
As you sleep and count the planets, think of others – there are people who have no place to sleep.
As you liberate yourself with metaphors think of others – those who have lost their right to speak.
And as you think of distant others – think of yourself and say “I wish I were a candle in the darkness.”

This is a busy week, with packing and preparations for moving once again. A week from today I'll hop on a MegaBus with a one-way ticket to Detroit. Lutheran Volunteer Corps orientation is in the Twin Cities this year, so I have an extra week in town, but it'll be pretty full.

I gave a presentation at my mom's church last night, preceded by making up four pounds of beans and almost 40 tortillas. It was stressful in a couple moments (like when my metal comal didn't cook the tortillas evenly and ended up burning several of them). But now this morning I've woken up with a familiar feeling in my fingertips from all the flipping and accidentally touching the griddle and clothes smelling like corn masa. These simple, pleasant sensations, along with the fact that I can justify wearing a sweater on this wonderfully cool August (August!) morning, means that I've been able to find moments of calm in the midst of the whirlwind of moving again.

Mahmoud Darwish's poem is fairly new to me, but it has been a helpful reminder not to let the mundane, daily elements of my life become too routine without acknowledging that there is something extraordinary in them. And that many things that should be a given in a human life are not for many, many people. Sometimes I'm tempted by the sexiness of thinking of myself and wondering how I can be a huge, burning fire - all on my own. But poetry and religious traditions the world over wouldn't have wisdom on the importance of even a single candle against the darkness if there wasn't something to it.

Creo en raices

The six of us (the CAP volunteer equipo) went to the beach this weekend. It was good to go, spend some time in the water, and just be away from Suchi for a while. I realized on the bus down toward the coast that, while I don't tend to notice how small Suchi is when I'm here, it seems like the minute I leave, I'm bombarded by a feeling of unpacking a weight from my shoulders. This was especially true this time.

While we were at the beach we swam (of course) and bobbed in and jumped over and through the pretty-big-for-a-lake-swimming-Minnesotan waves. We also had our weekly spirituality night - in the morning - on Sunday. Christy shared a book with us called The Red Tree. After reading the book (and I should say that I absolutely love, adore, am completely enamored of children's picture books), we each took a red construction paper leaf and drew the sources of light and hope in our lives.

I found myself drawing first the Mississippi River, as a general symbol of Minneapolis and all that lies therein. The very next thing I drew was a tree. I decided it was an oak tree. But more than the tree itself, I drew its roots digging into the river. As we were sharing our leaves, the words came to me that I believe in root structures. In very literal and very spiritual ways, I believe in the intricate, delicate mazes of roots that hold together the very earth upon which we walk. These are as abstract as the relationships that themselves are red leaves in our lives, and as physical as the deep, thick roots on the prairie that allow an entire ecosystem to endure a long dry season year in and year out without perishing.

I talk a lot about how deeply my roots are planted in Minnesota, and it's true. Part of why I don't want to go straight back to MN after I finish here is that I know that once I'm there, I'm there. For good, if I can help it. But first I'd like to spend just a bit more time elsewhere. Putting down roots, albeit slightly more shallow ones, someplace else, too. My roots are already deep enough here that it will be a painful process of extracting myself come the end of May. But I am comforted in knowing - just knowing - that I will be back, hopefully on a regular basis.

One recent red leaf in my life is watercoloring. Now, if you know me at ALL, you likely know that I consider myself a pretty lousy visual artist, so this may come as something of a surprise. But I'm learning. And I'm loving it. I bought paints at the pharmacy where I buy cell phone minutes, and yesterday Thinking yesterday about this idea that I believe in roots, I painted it. I'm not sure it's done. But this is how it looked after I finished for the night.



"creo en raices" is written into the roots themselves.

I am a woman rooted.

Life has been slightly busy these days, so I'm thinking more in the way of just plain updates this time 'round.

Santa Lucía - December 6-13 marks the week of the patronal festival here in Suchitoto, as Santa Lucía (whose feast day is Dec 13) is the patron saint of the town. I was assured throughout my first months here that it would be a time of locuras (craziness), and indeed it was. Each morning at 4am, a different barrio had the chance to host a small ofrenda at which people from all over town gathered, drank coffee and ate pan dulce, and listened to a small jazz (klezmer-ish?) combo, all the while in the presence of a portable altar to the Virgin Lucía. Then at 5am kicked off the candlelight procession through that particular neighborhood and to the church, where mass was held at about 5:45. After that, each day was different during the daytime, with small artisan fairs, children's days, cultural events, etc. Then (most nights) at 8pm, the given barrio would send a float and various other parade-type elements up the main street out of town and back down the entrance street. This was usually followed up by a fireworks show in the plaza.

BUT THEN...we arrived at the actual day of the feast and Holy Hannah did the locuras ever pile on. The 12th was a Sunday - and the day after the 11th, which was when we celebrated the Virgen de Guadalupe,* thus the second night of even greater celebrations - so there was the regular 9am mass and the noon and 5pm masses were combined into a 4pm, followed by another procession at 5. Then the grand finale fireworks show which was....indescribable. There were regular fireworks the shoot up and explode; there were torritos - little wooden bulls with fireworks attached, which are held by a person who runs around in the center of the plaza; there were various structures set up with fireworks attached to them, including a small model of the church and a Christmas tree. There were an absolute TON of people in the plaza. (Like, if the fire marshal that got upset about South's storage situation were there, he would have just straight up died.) But it was SO GREAT.

And then afterward there was a dance. I met up with a couple of friends from the museum and we went, running into a few more museum folks along the way. It was great - the space was shared between a live band on one street and a dj in the next, each getting an hour at a time to play. Only problem is that the dj's bass system was so strong it actually made me sick to my stomach. But the show went on! We wandered back and forth from one end of the street to the other (the dance is held in a cordoned off street in front of the city government building) for several hours, dancing mostly together and occasionally with (mostly very short) other people. All in all, the night was a success. The Center was closed the next day, so I slept in for the first time in...five months? (Like, I slept almost until 8:45. :)

*We celebrated both ladies a day early because 1) you want to have a dance the night before the actual day off from work, and 2) the Virgen de Guadalupe's day is actually the 12th, but that was a Sunday and you cannot celebrate a feast day on a Sunday (apparently). But we in Suchi couldn't do Guadalupe the day after her real day, since that belonged to Lucy. As you can see, this is all very complicated.

Posadas - The 14th was a day of rest, as far as December festivals are concerned, with the celebration of the Posadas beginning on the 15th. Every evening from the 15th through the 22nd, people gather at a house or restaurant to begin a procession commemorating the time that Mary and Joseph spent looking for a place to rest in Bethlehem. As we walk we sing and try to keep our candles from going out. When we arrive at the next home, a dialogue takes place between the crowd and the owners of the house/business, where we ask to be let in and are repeatedly refused for several attempts, until we're finally allowed entrance and given cookies and something warm to drink. It's a pretty beautiful tradition and I am really glad that dad and Ella will be here for the final night. (It doesn't matter how tired they are after a full day of traveling - we're going.) Come January, I am not going to have any idea what to do with myself.

The day of the scorpion... - Yesterday was quite a day. First thing, right off the bat, was getting dressed. Since it was Friday, I had patinaje, so gym clothes were in order (since usually I skate with the kids). I'd covered for Ariel the day before and hung my clothes outside to air out overnight. Well, BAD IDEA MASTERS. I grabbed them and brought them in and got dressed. When I pulled the bottom of my shirt down, my hand brushed...something, but I didn't make much of it. I checked to see, saw nothing, and figured I'd just touched the hem of the shirt in a strange way. And then, only seconds later, lo and behold, a scorpion fell out of my shorts and scuttled under my backpack.

I am proud to say that I didn't scream. I sort of froze, but I did so silently. I left the room, enlisted the wisdom of Susan, who suggested a combination of bug spray and a shoe, and went in. It sucked, because I didn't want to kill it, but I also didn't want it in the house. But I felt bad because it was only in the shorts because they were warmer than the (50 degree) night air. I had asked Susan for a blanket the night before, and she did not take it as a reason to kill me. Now I was killing something that had only done the same? My overactive organizer's-daughter imagination kicked in and I saw visions of all her little (and not so little?) scorpion allies coming together and reading from their little scorpion bible about she who denied refuge to the one in need against the cold and then getting together and bringing me down. And then I sprayed her and smacked her with my shoe, to which her response was to get pissed and raise her tail. To which my response was to lay the smackdown again and step on the shoe this time. What a horrific squelch. The shoe and the body sat there until the evening. (Bad idea #2: by the evening, the spray had dried and she was sticking to the floor.)

... and the raspon - So I think she got a bit of revenge, at least cosmically, later in the morning. I was skating and I threw myself off the small ramp at the behest of a bunch of 8-year-olds. (Tip: When a story starts like this, you know that everything ultimately stems from the stupidity of the protagonist.) Long story short, I am not 2 for 2 - attempts and pancake falls - when it comes to the ramp. My feet once again got ahead of my center of gravity and I fell straight on my behind. I've fallen several times on the skates and while it hurt for a second, I didn't think much of it. Checked on it at lunch and saw a visible but (kind of disappointingly) small bruise, showed it to a couple people, and ran the afternoon skating session. Then when I got home and went to jump in the shower, I thought to look again. Wow. It was the color of a dark purple eggplant, swollen, etc. After much research (aka, 10 minutes with my colleagues WebMD and WikiPedia), I discovered that I have what must be a subdermal hematoma, basically a big bruise. (I should note that this is different from a subDURal hematoma, which involves bleeding in the brain and is one of the MANY reasons that we require all manner of pads and helmets. While I said this accidentally a couple times to a few people last night, it's not what I have.)

It's already changing color and everything. I think it's going to be pretty cool over the next few days. I'm excited for when it's green and yellow, but highly disappointed that it is in such a hard-to-show-off place. It's only on my upper, outer thigh, so there are plenty of people here I'd be comfortable showing it to. But that would require that I either wear short shorts or drop my pants, neither of which are good options in public.

So yesterday was quite a day. Then Susan and I met up with folks from around town for posadas and walked from the house where we had stopped the night before, to go on to a different home in a different barrio. Today is my museum day, so I'm sitting on my (kind of painful) behind all day long.

Well. This has been today's view into the mundane details of my life. I suppose that makes sense, as life is about to get about as non-mundane as possible when, in FOUR DAYS, the first wave of my family get here! And then the second wave only three days after that! Needless to say, I am thrilled beyond words.

De maravilla

I just spent a few hours in the museum with a guy (a kid? he's my age, so more or less) who tried to kill himself the weekend before I came to Suchi. I don't even know him that well, since he's kind of quiet and I'm kind of awkward, but I was realizing this morning that he would be only a story in my life if he'd been successful. I am so, so grateful that he is here.* (The word "here" - specifically in the sense of "I am glad that you are/I am/she or he is here" - is coming to have so many meanings for me. Here in this town or municipality of Suchitoto or in El Salvador or in the world or, more philosophically, existing in the same time and place as I/you do. Hard to describe, but I am glad that he's here, present in every aspect of "here.")

There is a woman named Yanira who lives on the street in town. Generally she sleeps in front of the police station, because some people harass her a lot. I think she comes in and out of her direct relationship with this reality. This, mixed with Spanish, makes it sometimes really hard to carry on a conversation with her. Sometimes she gets really angry, and sometimes she is just happy as a clam. Today, yesterday, and the day before, I saw her at least once per day and every time she was in a good place. I am so glad that she seems, at least in this moment, to be doing well. She is so wonderful. It doesn't matter that she always asks where I've been - usually leading with some version of "it's been a long time since you've been in Suchi, hasn't it?" even though I generally have been around. Yesterday I saw her with two bags of groceries and other general needs. And a huge smile on her face.

We had a big concert last night of Christmas music. The harps played - or rather, the harp students played their harpsicles. (Sorry, I just can't help but use "harpsicle" whenever possible.) Ariel's kids choir sang a few songs, including a couple with the harps(icles). A couple of kids from Alex's poetry and rap class read their own poems. The adult choir sang Dona Nobis Pacem and Capilla Celestial (Angels We Have Heard on High). And then we all came together with Paul's guitar class and performed Somos El Mundo (We Are the World).

We were not always (ever?) fully in key, but my God did we do a beautiful thing in that chapel. To see Alex (my neighbor) and Angel, both of whom come and skate every day, come in their dress shirts, looking kind of awkward, because they're 15 and 17 (respectively) and suddenly dressed up; to hear Alex read his poem about nature; to get bumped into by Luis Felipe, who has the most physical, bouncy interpretation of the "Gloria" ever -- these were extraordinary, but also such ordinary experiences. So wonderful.

After the concert, Ariel and I were sitting together just watching people eat sandwiches and drink hot chocolate. Angel sat with us and asked, "¿Cómo están? ¿De maravilla?" - How are you? (And the only way I can think of translating 'de maravilla' is the lame and clunky "marveling".) But yes, we were indeed marveling at what had just taken place. Marvel seems the perfect partner for the anticipation of Advent.

This morning Suchi held the pre-inauguration for the newly-founded farmers market. Now, being from Minneapolis, I was proud of how normal it was to stand at 'my' farmers market and watch my mayor talk about the city being committed to finding a permanent location for the market. (Turns out this is an international problem. :) But even more so, I was thrilled to see the vendors, the buyers, the produce (all of which was from the municipality), the artisan foods produced with other local stuff, and the Centro Arte youth drum corps, a couple of whom had sung in the concert just 12 hours before.

Marvel. And anticipation. We await the market's growth into something more permanent and secure. We anticipate concerts to come, in which at least half will sing on pitch(!) at least half the time. And I marvel at the smiles of two wonderful people whom I would not have known if circumstances had not proceeded as, thanks be to God, they did.

Simpl(y extraordinary) gifts

I received an extraordinary gift yesterday. No, scratch that - I have received dozens of gifts every day of my stay here. But this week, and yesterday in particular, have a couple standouts.

On Friday night, several of us from the Center went to El Sitio to take part in and document (for the museum) their community vigil for Copapayo. Effectively all of the families in the community come originally from Copapayo and the sole survivor of the massacre lives there. There is a sister parish in Michigan that always sends a delegation this time of year to celebrate the commemoration together, which is why the vigil was this weekend. We ate in the house of one of my students then went back to the gazebo/plaza and saw a couple short videos before folks gathered for the procession. Then we all worshiped together in a mass said by the priest from St. Catherine's (this MI parish). After the mass, which was wonderful in so many ways, we went back out in front of the church for music (provided by a group from the neighboring community of El Barío, including Alex's Davíd and Nico, with whom we work in the museum). After the music, the youth of El Sitio - about 90% of them students in 7th-9th grade at the school - got up on the gazebo platform and read the names of the people who were killed in the massacre. After every name, we repeated está presente, "is present" (here/with us). This is a most powerful way recognizing the life and continued presence of people who were killed. And we said it 155 times, including once for an infant of 8 days. It was a gift and an honor to be there sharing the evening with the students and the community that has so opened its arms to me and Christy in our time here.

The gift from yesterday actually starts a couple weeks ago on Margaret Jane's birthday. We (Ariel, Christy, Rosa, Eva, and I) had just gotten back from the actual community of Copapayo on Sunday morning after the vigil the night before and a friend of Margarita's came over for breakfast to celebrate her birthday. The three of us breakfasted together as Margaret Jane and Lita (who is a health promoter in her community) shared stories of their friendship during the war and a trip they took to Geneva to present a paper on health issues among refugee women in El Salvador (of which Lita was then-currently one). This in and of itself was a gift.

During the meal, Lita told me about a book about the experiences of displaced and repatriated communities during and after the war. She told me she would bring it to me and I was really excited, but it sort of fell out of my mind. Well, yesterday, while Ariel and I were doing a lunchtime loop that included food, the ATM, and buying baby shower things for our friends Marvin and Karla, we ran into Lita who was in town for the HUGE confirmation Sunday. (Jay, if you're reading this: 270 confirmands. I think HTLC's new confirmation strategy should include something along the lines of "be Catholic." Just a thought.)

When we saw each other, Lita reached into her bag and pulled out a bound photocopy of the book she had been describing during breakfast. When I told her that I was so thrilled to read it and would get it back to her asap via Susan or Margarita, her response was, "no, no, no - te lo regalo" (basically, "no way, I'm giving it to you"). She made and bound the copy of this book for me after one breakfast conversation and brought it with her since she knew she was coming to town and could give/leave it for me. I almost wept.

Then, back at the museum, I got to looking at the book. It has testimonies, songs, poems, drawings, chronologies, maps - all from people who lived either in refugee camps in Honduras or Nicaragua or in internally displaced camps within El Salvador, such as Calle Real (where Margaret Jane worked for five years in the 80s - and where she and Lita met). Vilma, the other person working the museum for the day, recognized the book and we looked through it together. As it turns out, she was born in Mesa Grande, one of the camps in Honduras, and lived there until she was 6 years old. She knew the tunes of several of the songs and sang them for me, right there in the entrance to the museum.


I...don't know what to do with all of this. I mean, I know of course that we're going to make another copy of the book for the museum and probably a couple more for the other volunteers. The practical, obvious steps. But what I'm actually going to DO with this embodied, copied, bound love that I received yesterday? That is still developing.

Meanwhile, we have grand plans for a Thanksgiving feast this Thursday and I will have no problem thinking of things I'm thankful for.

It's 3:30pm and we've already had 56 people in the museum today. (That makes it a pretty darn good day.) Nothing extraordinary to report, in general. My days tend to consist of, in rotation, El Sitio, the museum, and patinaje. I work, hang out with the other volunteers, hand out with the folks from the museum, wander town. There is something comfortable about a routine, so long as it doesn't become inertia. I'm getting to know my neighbors, through the young guys who come to patinaje and live next door. (A word on language: English needs a word that works like "joven" that isn't as pretentious as "youth" when referring to a specific number of people.)

The kids in El Sitio are in final exams this week. Christy and I wrote the English exam and Christy proctored it on Wednesday. (I didn't go since I was a bit sick earlier in the week.) Thursday I went and helped with the language arts exam. It's not the most enthralling thing to proctor another teacher's exam, though this one included the word "playboy," so as the only native English speaker, I was in high demand to tell the kids what it meant (which I was also under instructions not to d0). Once a few of them started finishing, I noticed that a sheet of paper was going around and quantities of change recorded - noticed, but didn't think to ask about it. Turns out the kids have to pay for the paper that they write their tests on.

We're starting to get in the habit of going on citas (dates) as volunteers. We got good at doing group stuff before I left and now that we're six, we want to be more intentional about getting to know each other individually as well. We're trying to figure out how we form ourselves into a community, which doesn't come easily (or even naturally, really). And on top of that, how do we act within and interact with the larger communities in which we live. We had a really good conversation yesterday about where we're at and what is really feeding us here. For almost all of us, that answer at least in some way included the kids we work with. But it was a good jumping off point for me to think about other people, places, books, activities that are feeding me as I am here. (And I mean that not just "as I'm here", but as I am here - as in existing, being).

So I want to know: What feeds you? What gives you life and joy? I'm still turning this one over and enjoying the process.

Fallen leaves and other priorities

In second grade, I was not the most organized child, so my teachers and parents instituted a means of daily communication via a notebook that I brought back and forth between school and home. Sometimes it included explanations of my assignments and other times it was for short exercises to be done at home. It was my "Brain Stretcher Notebook." One of the first activities was a list of "words about fall." Since I'm visiting Minneapolis and enjoying the fall colors (if not appropriate fall weather), I was delighted to find the list yesterday. It's pretty much the same as what I love about fall now - only my spelling has changed. (And if any of the words are confusing, say them out loud, as though you, too, were a second-grader.) I think this list explains a lot about me.

1. Fallen leaves
2. Chilly wether
3. Racking*
4. Jumping in piells
5. Migeration
6. Voting
7. Coats jackets exet.....
8. Heaters
9. Storm windows
10. Shorter days
11. Begining of school
12. End of sumer**
13. Pants not shorts
14. No more DQ
15. Rain
16. (if in MN) snow
17. Hibernation
18. Apples
19. Punkins***
20. Flowers dyeing
21. Halloween
22. Harvesting
23. Caning****
24. Scareacrows
25. Jack-o-lantern

*That would be raking, not racking the spoils of some hunting excursion
**It is so sad when civilizations come crashing down
***The n is definitely the result of dad's North Dakota accent
****I'm fairly sure this is canning, caning not taking a large role in my childhood

I have adored having this time here in the Cities this week. It is bizarre visiting a place that has always been my home base. I hadn't realized just how much there was to do in a short time! I'm getting done most of it and seeing a lot of really great people. I'm reminded why I can so easily choose that this would be my permanent place. It is lovely that people here seem to understand that Suchi is also, in a different way, becoming a home for me as well.

One thing I've noticed is that the people here and the people in Suchi must be of the same batch. Some of the other volunteers over the last couple months have mentioned that people in Suchitoto are remarkably friendly and helpful. This is absolutely true - so much so. But it's never seemed out of the ordinary to me, more just what people do for/with each other. Now that I'm here for a bit, it really is coming clear that it is familiar because it is the culture I grew up in, too. You do just stop and talk with your neighbors and with strangers (which is how you turn strangers into neighbors).

Anyway. I am incredibly blessed to have had this time here with family and friends and places. The surprise held - Ella had no idea I was coming until I was here. The wedding was beautiful and joyful. I went to the farmers market and walked down the Greenway. I'll return with new books and new underwear (!) and having voted. It's not tidy, by any means - there are so many people that I have already missed the chance to see while here. But it's been good for my soul to be here for a few days and it will be good for my soul to return. There are two new volunteers who arrived the day I left and I am so excited to meet them. And I can't wait to see the other three CAPsters and the rest of the community.

I went for a run yesterday down along River Road and it was glorious. Sun overhead, shade from trees, leaves underfoot. I saw a handful of runners with their ipods in and couldn't help but think "My God! Why would you run with headphones when there is such a limited window to hear the leaves crunching as you run?" For some reason that struck me as a reminder about perspective. For someone who has the whole fall ahead of them, why bother worrying about missing the sound of leaves? But for me, in this time of acute enjoyment of my favorite segment of the year's cycle, those sounds are gold. I want to be more aware of the times when I am the headphoned runner, tuning out what I ought to be enjoying and giving thanks for. Otherwise I am at risk of missing the beauty of the simplest yet most important entry on my list.