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Caretaker Gnarled mesquite trees and live oaks sqayed with the wind in the dawn light. Awakened by the timid light, hundreds of birds chirped their welcoming song to the new day, greeting Guadalupe Perez as he entered the Bluetown cemetery. His wheelbarrow, loaded with jugs, wobbled under the weight of the water as it followed the tracks etched into the earth on its daily trek. Perez, 77, has tended the Longoria cemetery in Bluetown for more than six years. By 7am every day, he already has filled his 15 one-gallon jugs. Affectionately known as Don Lupito, he weeds the earth, waters the plants and plants more flowers to cover the patches of weeks he clears away.
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Though no relatives of his rest there, Don Lupito tends the cemetery because no one else bothers. "I still need to weed those off," he said, pointing to a dead morning glory plant. "I'll pull them out later in the week so they come back again." Everyone who sees this beautifully kept cemetery is grateful to Don Lupito. |