It was a mellow spring day, blue skies, just the right amount of heat, soft white clouds and the wonderful smell of moist dirt after a long, frozen, winter. I quietly threaded my way around the grave stones, admiring the old wrought iron fence that protected the perimeters of this cemetery
At the back of the grave yard where periwinkle grew wild some of the head stones were so old that the writing once etched on their faces could no longer be read. But others had survived the elements and I carefully read the words that described the people buried here for eternity. "Here lies David B. Mier, loving husband and father. He will be missed" RIP 1876 - 1930 . Next to him was Shirly D, Mier, 1880 - 1928 "Sleep on, sweet mother and wife, And take thy rest, God called thee home, He thought it best.
As I continued my meanderings the epitaphs I was reading took on new meaning as the realization that when a loved one has been laid to rest it is here that we are given one final occasion to communicate to the world the significance that person held in our life.
Epitaphs take on many forms and are derived from many sources. Bereaved family members often chose a biblical verse as an epitaph as it may exhibit some virtuous quality that was a characteristic of the decedent's life.
Some chose to write a tombstone epitaph detailing the accomplishments of the decedent's life. Maybe the person was a great doctor who selflessly gave his time tending to the sick, or one who was known for their philanthropy or community service.
Some chose a humorous verse which I found spoke volumes about the dear departed. For example, Here lies Ezekial Aikle, Age 102, Only the good die young .
When a loved one has been laid to rest the final stage of closure involves the placement of a tombstone or grave marker identifying their grave. It is here that we are given one final occasion to communicate to the world the significance of our loved one. Don't blow it, make it count, because a hundred years from now someone like me will come tiptoeing through and wonder what the person who lies here was like and what kind of story your life had to tell.
It's so true how reading the epithets on gravestones can stimulate the imagination. My mom was into genealogy and I remember walking with her through many a cemetery. Following you from the A to Z Challenge!
ReplyDeleteMy favourite is from one in Bath UK - near the spring for water.
ReplyDeleteHere I lie beside my daughter
I came to Bath to try the water
If I would have stuck to Epsom salts
I wouldn't be lying under these vaults
Really nice post, great to connect with another blogger through atoz. http://aimingforapublishingdeal.blogspot.co.uk/
Interesting post. I enjoy reading epitaphs when I'm in a graveyard. It must be hard to condense a whole person's life and what they meant to you into only a few lines. I like the humorous ones the best, like Spike Milligan's-'I told you I was ill'.
ReplyDelete~Tizzy @ Creative Therapy
Just checking to see how you are doing. Will you be completing the Challenge with us?
ReplyDeleteYou still have time to catch up.
Lee
An A to Z Co-Host
Tossing It Out
So succinct: "...to communicate to the world the significance that person held in our life." That is the best description of a gravestone Ive ever read. Nicely done. :-)
ReplyDeleteVicki came by yr gravestones a-z post in mysterious way this evening. I wish I'd known you were taking part. Your writing is so excellent and pleasing. How are you. All best wishes susan
ReplyDelete