Hard, hard day

Today... ALL of today (10 am to 5 pm) was spent at a funeral for an 18 year old. Never have I been an on-looker for someone so young. And the ways in which the Lakota people have services are like I've never experienced before. Karen and I went to the wake last night. We ended up leaving around 9:30, but we're pretty sure it went on until around midnight. At wakes, we have a prayer service where the minister(s) give words of condolences and after the service relatives and friends can offer words, prayers, or songs. It's beautiful and moving and unlike anything I have ever experienced. Usually there's at least two nights of wakes, but there was only one for this boy. The funeral service was today. We had a traditional church service and then we had a Lakota traditional "service." I'm not sure if there should have been more to it, but it seemed like the same traditional ceremonies as we did for his grandfather only five weeks ago.... the pallbearers and the body were smudged was the biggest difference... it was really hard to watch and be a part of this funeral. I kept thinking about my family, and realizing how hard this must be for his siblings. It's tradition for the pallbearers to help dig the grave and then cover the body, and others tap in and out to help.... the boy's brother and sisters help put mother earth on their brother... it was beautiful yet heart wrenching at the same time... I don't know if I could do that... my prayers go out to this family. May God enfold them in His peace and bring them all together again...

Adonai, I lift up my heart and I cry

My Adonai

You are maker of each moment

Father of my hope and freedom

Oh, my Adonai ~Avalon