So yesterday I was talking about the local cemetery and giving you some of it's lovely history, I didn't get to the parts that really got to me or caught my eye.
Lets start with what caught my eye.
Vases...
A mind could go wild as to what this is doing in a cemetery or what it says about the person it is for.
Benches...
This is a piece of one of the poorer quality crosses. It was laying under a bush with a sea shell laid on top of it.
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Now on to the more interesting stones...
Thy life was beauty, truth, goodness and love. If I was to get buried and have a headstone...Yup, I want that! The sweetest definition of someones life. Don't cha think?
A real live (umm..no. I meant dead) Texas Ranger! How cool is that for this little tiny town?!
This angel is awesome! Although she looks to have had some really rough times trying to protect her cemetery.
Another thing I noticed was that all the headstones are facing the east. Anyone know why?
This little decoration tugged at my heart. A little five year old boy, who would be nine today. He was truly loved and is sorely missed. I'm sure.
This stone was hiding in a bushy tree and all you can see is the years. Yes folks he/she was only a year old, but that is not what bothered me. It was the fact that if you didn't notice it when standing in a certain spot, then you would never notice it at all. You see the green bushy tree to the left of the angel's head (above pic), it was hiding under the other side of it.
Another thing I noticed is that if the grave was in an enclosed gate or framed with a cement border, the upkeep must be up to family members or someone else cause this poor grave needs some maintenance! I find that curious since the rest of the place is kept up real well.
I have one more stone that has consumed my brain, but you'll have to wait for that post cause I am currently trying to gather some info on it.
5 comments:
That's so amazing, there really are so many interesting things you can find in cemeteries!
Great post. Can't wait to hear about the one that really got yout attention.
Can't wait to see what's next. Did you find out anything on why they face east?
Heather -
These are all lovely photos of the old cemetery. Tom and I have always loved to roam through old cemeteries, just looking at all of the lives, thinking of how they might have lived - and died - and how fleeting life really is.
Being long time photographers, we appreciate the visual beauty to be found in cemeteries, as well.
When I was in college (at age 37), in a photography course, I roamed old cemeteries looking for just the perfect photo to use in a 16" x 20" display of three photos with a poem on it that I had written about soldiers and death. I won 1st place in the whole school for my final project, and still have it today, although now it's rather battered and worn.
I also did some stories (much like you are doing here) for the daily newspaper when I was Community Editor and that was fun to do.
To answer your question about why all of the grave facing east (and you are very observant, I have to say, which is to your credit and will serve you well in photography, as well as other endeavors) -
They all face east toward the rising of the sun and, it is thought, eventually, toward the resurrection of the dead by Jesus Christ. It has been a practice for a very long time - centuries - and goes beyond just religious belief and conviction for some people. But, that is why they all face east.
I did some research and did an entire blog post about that if I can look back through my posts and find it. If I do, I'll give you the link so that you may read more about it and follow the links in it to other sites about it.
I think it is a WONDERFUL practice, to be oriented toward the rising of the sun every morning and then our resurrection day! I like that very much, and you will find that is true in many, many cemeteries.
Great post! Can't wait for the next!
Dee
i find it interesting to read the grave stone words. it is also sad when a grave site is not taken care of and I feel that although the person is dead, the memory of him is dead. Rose
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