Years ago, when I was in college, I had a friend whom absolutely loved visiting cemeteries. At first, I was blown away by the fact anyone would want to visit a graveyard. To me, it was a place you only went when a loved one passed away. However, I decided to go with her one evening to the graveyard, to get a better understanding of what she found there.
It was this experience that developed my own love of visiting graveyards! For me, a graveyard holds history, stories, tragedy and love. No book in the world could have as many tales to tell as those you find in a cemetery. For me, there are always Angels in the Graveyard.
Angels in the Graveyard
A cemetery rich with history is like getting a small glimpse at the past. You see dates, names and gravestones that speak volumes of the person, their loved ones and the attention to detail so often found in older graves.
All to often, there will also be those graves that are unmarked due to no living record. It makes you stop and think about who they could have been and the life they may have led.
What has always moved my heart the most are the graves of children. It speaks to a life that never lived upon this Earth, but was destined for Heaven. You can so often almost feel the love in the workmanship and care taken of the graves.
They speak of lives never lived and often to a time where medical care was far from adequate. Standing over a grave that is over 90 years old is surreal.
You stand amongst the many flowers and sentimental additions and are reminded that this place is as much for the living as it is for the dead. Whether the flowers are real or fake doesn’t matter in the cemetery.
What matters in that moment is that someone still cares enough to come. Decades after death, people are still coming. It makes you see how many lives can really be touched in a lifetime and beyond.
For me, a graveyard is so much more than just a stop along the way of life.
MyBitsandBleeps says
Since the 80s I’ve been drawn to one gravesite. The headstone is simple … it’s a tubular shape stone. It reminds me of a pillow, one’s final resting place. The only thing inscribed is the person’s first name: Bruce.
When I drive by I have to say “Hi Bruce”
Cheryl says
I love the history that can be found in the graveyards. Makes one she the true hardships our ancestors must of went though
Stephanie LaPlante says
They can be very peaceful too.
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
I find graveyards, at least the older ones, very interesting. There is so much history, thought and love combined in one place.
Linda Fast says
The most beautiful graveyard I have ever visited was in Savannah Georgia, The tombstones were so interesting and the live oaks with Spanish moss dangling from the branches was beautiful. St. Thomas Ontario has an interesting cemetery also.
kathy downey says
I really enjoyed this read and the way you see graveyards,I find myself getting emotional
Nataile Brown says
I completely understand why you like to do this. It’s a bit morbid but so fascinating. Last Summer I spent 3 weeks in Northern Alabama and Tennessee and we visited several historical grave sites. The monuments and, at the same time, one’s that weren’t memorialized were quite intriguing.
Melinda L. says
We stopped at a few graveyards and it was fascinating seeing all the engravings and things people leave in memory of a loved one
Julie says
Nice post…I used to shudder at the thought of cemetaries…that all changed when my Mother died…I totally understand your thinking.
Susan T. says
I find graveyards completely fascinating. There are so many stories waiting to be told. That’s why I became an archaeologist! 🙂