Comments on Cemeteries

jbennett · Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 9 Location: Michigan

This brought back to me something I have often thought about. My grandparents lost two teenagers two years apart back in the 1920s. Just can't imagine how you go on with that much grief. Even worse, if that is possible, is the family in California you mention.
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wannabe fulltimer

larry_m882 · Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 3 Location: Where Ever!

I do not stop at cemeteries, but your essay made me think about how precious life is and how lucky I am to be where I am today!
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Living and loving life to the fullest! Fulltimer

mcleff · Joined: 06 Nov 2005 Posts: 12 Location: Barron, WI

I love to walk in cemeteries for the very reasons you mention. When my friend Rose and I went to the British Isles in 2001, we spent a lot of time in cemeteries. You can find out so much about a culture by the cemeteries. In Ireland we saw weathered stones from the 1600s next to new modern stones. Fascinating.
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bigowl47 · Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 1

Excellent essay. Makes one stop and think. Reminds me of a visit to our rural family cemetery a while back. I discovered why I and some of my cousins are named the way we are. We were named after our deceased relatives. The age span was also very suprising. Made me very thankful.

Hutch1358 · Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 1 Location: Tewksbury, MA

I was beginning to think that I was the only person that felt this way about old burial grounds. It's nice to see that others appreciate what has gone before us....Hutch

PhatLiz · Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2005 6:53 am Post subject:

I have been visiting cemeteries for years. I wish that the trend toward the flat plaques on the ground was not becoming a requirement. The older headstones were full of symbolism and information.
Thanks for sharing your own experiences.
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Liz, husband and a 40ft Horizon
Living the dream

barbnor2 · Joined: 26 Nov 2005 Posts: 36 Location: On the Road

I am into genealogy, so cemeteries always draw me to them. I have even gone out of my way to go to a cemetery when I know that a relative lives there.

Your essay was great. It brought tears to my eyes. It is also good to know that I am not the only cemetery groupie. I love to see the old stones especially. Thanks for your thoughts.

goldenglen · Joined: 06 Nov 2005 Posts: 4

I have grown up visiting graveyards. 2 of my uncles I never met due to WWII I found in the city cemetery and made my adieus. I have spent many a wonderful, peaceful time visiting grave sites of my loved ones and strangers. Thanks for this article. It is very special to me. Rick Swope Smile

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Bob · Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 1

Chuck,
Since I've looked at the BBB DVD I know what you look like. Therefore I think I know you by sight. That is not what I am writing about though. I enjoyed your thoughts about the cemetery gravestones. We do have a relatively small amount of time here on earth. We do have the freedom to love or not. Let's choose to love.
Bob Adams Smile

nohome46 · Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2005 10:21 am Post subject: Cemeteries

AH! to walk in silence among the headstones where history was made, and then you see your name on one from the past, and wonder if it is a relative long gone.
Dates are amazing, especialy in the east where cemeteries are old and then to see who died coming west, and were buried alongside the trail and that gravesite still maintained after 150 years.
Also, we pass the 'Tater' truck in front of the 'SPUD' drive-in theater all summer. But it's cold up there now.
Another good newsletter.
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Gary & Donna
3/4 Ford 6.4
07 Nash 27T

RIKKU · Joined: 06 Nov 2005 Posts: 1

I SPENT MY ENTIRE WORKING LIFE MAKING TOMBSTONES. NO ONE HAS EVER HAD A MORE INTERESTING LIVELYHOOD! THE BEST INSCRIPTION THAT I EVER ENGRAVED WAS: "REST IN PEACE UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN". I TRIED TO EXPLAIN TO THE GREIVING WIDOW THAT WE SHOULD SEPERATE THE TWO THOUGHTS. HER REPLY WAS "SONNY, I WANT THAT ALL IN ONE SENTENCE AS A WARNING TO THE OLD SOB". RIKKU

gbstrick · Joined: 06 Nov 2005 Posts: 2

I too like to read headstones and have been know to make an effort to visit cemeteries--yes, some people think me to be somewhat odd. Your essay does give one motivation to stop and think about life and what a wonderful gift it is.
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gbs & bes
Rialta 2002QD

Phaeton · Joined: 07 Nov 2005 Posts: 12

People endure hardships every day and cemeteries are a reflection of some of those hardships.

We lost our son four years ago at age nineteen and it still hurts.

His gravestone is an attempt to tell the story of his short life and it's nice to think about strangers visiting and pondering who he was or might have been.

I guess in this world of political correctness, an essay such as yours is not supposed to mention religion, but I thank God every day for our son and the wonderful times we had together. I wish we weren't affraid anymore to mention God without fear of reprisal or controversy.

prisms · Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 3

What a beautiful piece of writing, so thought-provoking! I winter in Ajo, AZ, and there's an old Indian/Mexican cemetery a few miles away, out in the desert and down a dirt road, but still in use. It's always been an interesting and peaceful place to visit, but last year many of the graves sprouted new marble tombstones, which somehow seemed out of place.

sisnnevada · Joined: 06 Nov 2005 Posts: 5 Location: Nevada

We too have found them very interesting and have visited several in the southern Utah area where many Mormon pioneers settled. As with your Gaugh family, there are many tragic stories there but you also find headstones written with a sense of humor. I like your thought of saying hi and think it would be great to have people do the same when my time comes. Thanks for the essay.