Personal tributes and human interest stories from the Dominican Republic and Mexico

In the Dominican Republic, Juan Antonio Matos Marte shared a written tribute to his late father, Juan Matos. The piece, originally written for Father's Day 2025, reflects on a childhood defined by strict moral values, honesty, and hard work. Matos Marte describes his father as a man who prioritized education and rectitude, providing for his family despite economic limitations.

In Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, 64-year-old Narciso Vargas shares his life as a cemetery caretaker at the Tepeyac cemetery. Having lived on the outskirts of the cemetery since age eight, Vargas follows a family tradition of tombstone polishing and construction. He expresses a sense of fulfillment in his work and a lack of fear regarding his proximity to the deceased, noting that he finds joy in the natural surroundings of the site.