Today was another one of those rain, sun, rain, sun days. And perhaps because the weather couldn't make up its mind, neither could I! During one of the sun breaks, I headed up Route 209 in search of something to shoot today. I stopped at the Delaware Cemetary in Dingman's Ferry PA. It has always fascinated me as we drive by because the tombstones are very old- some dating back to the late 1700's. As I looked over the pictures I took this afternoon, this close-up seemed to sum up my feelings for the day- a rose carved with love in memory of a family's beloved "Mother". These aged stones all belonged to someone who was important to someone else.
Some of those tombstones were so old, you could no longer read them. I looked at them, knowing that there was a name and a lifespan etched on there, but the data was erased by wind and weather. One in particular, embedded in the ground with grass and leaves practically obliterating it, stopped me in my tracks. I stood there, trying to imagine who this might be representing. Perhaps an early settler in the area. So many had names, but this poor stone, had none. But it did have one at one time. "You mattered," I said, as if the occupant could hear me. "Someone loved you. You came here and made a life for yourself. You plowed fields and built a home. You raised a family who carried on your name. You lived."
There's a lot of "stuff" that occupys our time on a day to day basis. There are a lot of voices trying to tell us what is important in life. Perhaps becasue I've entered the era of being a grandparent, I realize how ridiculous much of it is. The things that I own won't matter, neither will how I decorated my home or kept up with contemporary fashion. All those things will not matter in the end. How I loved my family will. And wether or not my tombstone survives the ravages of time, the love that I gave freely will. It will live on in the people that I loved.
Beautifully taken photo and well said comment, Ann! You couldn't be more right on everything! Wish that I was as wise as you are. Love the textures on this tombstone and the carving is beautiful. Great one!
@httpgeffed Thank you Colleen. It was a sweet headstone. @karenann Thank you Karenann. You are very kind. I'm not sure I'm that wise, but I do try to do wise things based on the Scriptures. In my own strength I make mistakes just like everyone else! @cimes1 Thank you Carole! It did look like someone still cares for this plot, so it was nice to see that.
@michaelelliott Thank you Michael! Yes, Dingman's Bridge right? You would have seen this cemetary as you came up to 209 from the bridge. @kerristephens Thank you Kerri!
Your photo illustrates your words so well. The feeling I get in a cemetery, whether old, new, abandoned or well tended, is of the lives it represents, not the deaths
Reading your narrative I was struck by its similarity to an experience I had at the old burying ground in Beaufort, NC. It is an old and historic cemetary in an old and historic town and there are several monuments there just as the one you described. On several occasions I've had similar conversations with the permanent residents there (much like "Ducky", the medical examiner on NCIS). This ties in very well with the discussion of loneliness on your fall leaf picture.
Beautiful words Ann, and it is all so true. If we would spend as much time on these "important" things in life rahter than those things that matter not, we would be so much better off, and we could have such an impact.
aha! finally i found another soul who talks to graves, especially graves that you described, the unknown and forgotten. i share your sentiment, so poignant and true. however, my thinking is if i should be forgotten long after i am dead, my soul would be comforted that once whilst alive i loved those who mattered to me the best way i knew how.
All of this is just beautiful....and I too have realized that the most important things in life aren't things at all...but just the person. Money truly can't buy happiness.
I am always touched by Old cemeteries and falling down barns and things that show the temporary nature of the human life span. A great reminder to enjoy the moment and the people while we have them.
@raggleroo Thanks Rachael. This was the first time I'd gone to one to take photos- and I didn't know anyone buried there, so it was not that kind of emotional for me. I think these places are really more for those who are left behind. This cemetary is not attached to a church, although some of our older church buildings do have cemetaries. Most churches now though, do not have them. What struck me at this place was how many of the sites were so old- most from the early 1800's. That was impressive to me- history wise.
I am realizing that too....that we stress about things that in the end, aren't important as we have made them. I love details on cemetary markers....so full of love and care.....
@espyetta Thank you MaryBeth- absolutely! And I did take a lot of shots of details, but this turned out to be my favorite of them. It's funny, but you can tell the difference between the older and newer markers. The older have so much more detail. That's probably why this one was so pretty. Most of the detail is still in tact.
I think you and I are at the same point in our lives and have reached the same conclusions. What a lovely illustration you have chosen. A great close up.
October 23rd, 2011
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@karenann Thank you Karenann. You are very kind. I'm not sure I'm that wise, but I do try to do wise things based on the Scriptures. In my own strength I make mistakes just like everyone else!
@cimes1 Thank you Carole! It did look like someone still cares for this plot, so it was nice to see that.
@kerristephens Thank you Kerri!
Well done!
great photo, by the way.
@dbjohnson Thank you Dean.
@digitalrn Thank you Rick.
@sarasdadandmom Thank you Terry.
@saaski Thank you Yvonne.
@summerfield Thank you Summerfield.
Thank you all for the kind words and thoughts. They are very much appreciated!
@mrssmith Thank you Carla- so true!
@pandorasecho Thank you Dixie! You are so right!
@melorac Thank you Carole!