Life during a pandemic doesn't allow for much interesting travel, but sometimes it's worth it to explore near you.
While I was waiting for some work to be done to my vehicle, I took a walk to a cemetery in a town I'd spent time in. I had never been to the cemetery but thought it would be an interesting walk to tell me more about the town. I stopped by the grave of a friend's husband and said hello, up-righting a few decorations.
I continued rambling through the cemetery and felt inclined to take pictures of interesting gravemarkers, whether because of the design, the age, the names, or some story I felt was unknown to me. I tried to be respectful, but it's difficult to remember or even know if the body is in front of the marker or behind.
This is not the oldest cemetery I have been in (I've been in one in Boston), but it still struck me as interesting to see people born in the 1800s. Yet at the same time, that's the blink of an eye, isn't it?
Information I didn't know:
My inclusion of these photos is meant with no disrespect to the living or dead. For me, as a writer, I found this to be an interesting excursion, and benefitted from having the distance from personally knowing the majority of the people here.
The intent of a cemetery is to be remembered, to know that our lives had meaning, that those who miss us have a place to remember us. I've heard it said that you die once physically, and then again at the death of the last person who remembered you.
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| I found it fitting that there was a shovel at the cemetery. I'm unsure if this cemetery uses a machine or not, as bigger locales would. |
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I found these interesting because they all had a similar style. They had a book at the top. Perhaps the Bible? The Book of the Dead? Okay, not likely that last one. They had the date of death and the years, months, and days that the deceased had lived. As best I can decipher: Left: "May C. Haines / Died Apr. (1)2, 1911 / Aged / 72 yrs, 2 mos / 4 days / A precious one / from us has gone " (three more lines I can't make out) Middle: Hard to make out a lot of this due to discoloration. I think the last name is Ooley? Died in 1896 / 91 yrs, 3? mos, 24? days Right: "Nancy / Wife of (R.B.?) Hayley / Died Apr. 26, 1899 / 55 yrs, 1 month 2 days". Most of the text at the bottom I can't make out but it says "Jesus blessed" |
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| This was a marker that had been broken and unable to be deciphered. There is at the entrance of the cemetery a map of plots and a book to find names. Even so, it's a bit sad, isn't it? No blame laid, just an interesting occurrence with its own story and symbolism. Saw a few more of these. |
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This one made me chuckle. My first thought was "Stay out of my yard!" But it's likely a family plot. On the four sides, there seems to be different people's names inscribed. I wondered if that 'vase' was decorative or if it was an urn of some type? The front-facing reads "A.E. Taylor / Born / Aug 27 184(8?) / Died / July 17, 1893 / At Rest / His toils are past, his work is done" second line not decipherable, perhaps "He fought the fight - the victory cry" The left-facing panel seems to say "Wife and Mother" |
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| This one was visually interesting to me. The figure at the top I couldn't make out. My ability to ready what's at the bottom is sketchy at best; bear with me. "Ieilla B / Wife of / JAS VanAken / Died June 18, 1888 / Aged 3(0) ? mos 19 Days / Jame VanAken / Born April 6, 1845 / Died Sept 6, 1924" There is a small marker to the left that reads "James". So he gave his wife the royal treatment? ;) Seems she passed in her 30s. I find interesting that birth dates aren't given on some of these (probably per the style of the times), but they want you to do the math and figure it out... ;) |
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| Another toppled set of tombstones. Under a tree. Makes you wonder how old that tree is and if it was there, what it looked like. One frequently hears about being buried under the shade of a tree. The table on the left seems to read: "Taylor / Died / Oct 10, 1881 / Aged 82 years 5(?) mos, 13 days" |
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| Dear Baby Smith. Not the only infant buried in the cemetery. I suppose people generally feel more sadness to see the loss of a child. Was this child known? To whom did it belong? |
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| This design was so intriguing to me.... Why wasn't the marker fully chiseled? Was it a statement about the sands of time or how mankind leaves a mark? Or was someone impatient? Such intrigue! To the left: "Mary A. / Sanford / Aug 17, 1858(?) / Aug 19, 1935(?)" Someone who held out for her birthday! My paternal grandfather did that too. If I got the years right, she was 77. To the right: "Gilbert F. /Sanford / Apr 23, 1856? / Jan 30, 1912?" |
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| This was one taken for the names and the design. "Cornelius Taylor / Dec. 31, 1831 / Nov 16, 1909. His Wife Emaline Taylor / Nov 6, 1840 / March 28, 1910" |
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| Do you watch horror films? I do. So when I see a gravemarker being swallowed up by the ground, I'm not quite at ease. While there is of course scientific explanation for it... visually it's eerie. |
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| I took this picture because it was a neat design - I tried to frame the sky. Only upon looking at the image at home with zoom did I become aware they were born outside of Kansas. And how! The very top reads "Father / Mother" The left: "Charles / Born in / Devonshire, England / Mar. 3, 1819 / Died / June 19, 1887 / Aged / 68 yrs, 3 mos, 16 days" The right: "Jane A. / Born in / Halifax, Nova Scotia / Apr. 11, 1826 / Died / Dec 27, 1884 / 58 yrs, 8 mos, ? days" Under Charles: "Father, thou art gone to rest / We will not weep for thee / For thou art ? on earth / Thy spirit ? to be" Family name is Counter |
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| Update! 2/28/21 A friend in Canada found this record on this family! Thank you! They had 11 children before moving to the states. He sold boots and shoes in Belleville and their daughter Eliza died while visiting them in KS. You can see this website for more information: https://annebrooks.ca/familygroup.php?familyID=F1429&tree=6126&fbclid=IwAR1aBz01JCdRXQKfjDNpE-a_0xMKwjjgwbVh1BGDkIBUSeukM6d4qwRrhFc |
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| The name (and design) caught me Left Panel: "Electa M Wray / Died / June 17, 1908 / Aged 46 Yrs, 6 mos. 25 D" Right Panel: "Jesse L Wray / Died Sept 14, 1888 / 30 Yrs" |
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| Liked the names "Flossy and Elmer". Last name Wagner. On the right: "Flossy V. Wagner / Hollyfield / 1886 -1960" On the left: "Elmer C. Wagner / Oct 13, 1884 / Dec. 1(?), 1922" |
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| This is one of those "hmmm," what's the story with the patchy, uneven earth? |
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| This is one that I found interesting because of the age and design. It's hard to decipher the info on the slab in the foreground, but it seems to be a young child. Background: "Sarah / Wife of / James Crummer / Died / Mar. 29, 1889 / 63 Yrs, 17 Days" Foregound: "Flossie E? / Dau. of SG? & CE Crummer / Died / ? 21, 1883? / Aged / 7? mos and 13? days" |
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| I thought the round design of this was interesting. They say life is a circle. Was that the intent in the design? Because of the glare, I can't read the birthdate, but I believe "Mary Bailey ? 1860? / Dec 31, 1940" |
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Mother and Son. Made me believe there must have been a very strong bond. So many story possibilities, right? And again, dates of birth and death not specified. Left: "Son. / Orville M. Chambers / 1895 - 1980" Right: "Mother / Mrs. Ibby Chambers / 1864 - 1934" |
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| Again, I thought the names were cute. "Mother / Elsie O. Taylor / 1896 - 1969" "Father: Orval D. Taylor / 1891 - 1933" |
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| For the Trekkies, James T Kirk, everyone. Since he passed in 2000, my guess is he probably heard the joke at some time or another. Who knows... maybe he was a bit of a Trekkie? ;) |
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The names aren't so out there, but I thought they were sweet. "Lillian & Harold - Parents of Deloris, Virgil & Velma" Lillian 1897-1990 & Harold 1895-1984. Surname Ettleman |
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| Here I was thinking "probably only white people buried here", I found the story of a military man, a Japanese wife and the passing of an infant daughter. If I understand this correctly, the wife passed while in Japan. Was she visiting home? Were they separated? Surname: Jeardoe Wife: "Yoshiko / (Miwa) / 12 Dec 1939 / Kure Japan / 12 Dec 1997 / Iwakuni Japan." She passed on her birthday Husband: "Delmar L / US CPO RET / 31 May 1946 / Belleville KS / 25 Oct 2002" Married: 26 Dec 1968 "Parents of Joseph, Denelle & Denise" there is a spelling inconsistency with the 2nd name if you keep reading. The infant's tomb behind/next to them: "Infant Daughter of Delmar & Yoshiko / Denella Miwa Jeardoe / Jan 5, 1972" They had been married 3 years when they lost her. Seems from the placement on the grave, she was their second child. |
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| The style of this caught my eyes. Only one date. Is that the birth, awaiting their passing? Surname: Hardenburger "Diane / Dec 15, 1949 / Michael / June 23, 1948" |
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| I thought the scenery design was quite pretty :) |
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| Again, cute names. Leonard and Maurine. Note the name "Ullom" - relevant for the next one... which is a doozy.... |
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| This may be the closest I get to speaking ill of the dead or seeming to mock him. But one look at these stones tells you soooooo very much. I'll let you draw your own conclusions. I later thought about checking the back of the stones because they lack names and dates - information "normal" tombstones have. Here goes.... His on the left, name unknown to me... "To my family, friends, CHS 1968 Classmates, USA working Comrades and Foreign Allies, and mankind, I pray for all of you often. (I forgive you of all transgressions against me.) A real man, must decide what he is willing oto sacrifice and do: 1) for the Lord God Almighty, my creator; 2) His Son Jesus Christ Lord and Savior; 3) the Holy Spirit; 4) all that dwell in Heaven; 5) the people of the U.S.A.; 5) our allies; 7) our Brother's and Sister's in Arms; and, 8) all of Mankind. I made that decision, making a huge difference as a 1) Navy Submarine Sonarman, Supervisor, and ACINT Expert, serving on three Submarines, the USS George Washington SSBN-598, the USS Simon Bolivar SSBN-641 and the USS batfish SSN-68 as an E-6 Petty Officer; 2) as an Advanced Electronics Instructor for Raytheon Service Company; 3) as an All-Source Intelligence Research Specialist - Military Systems (I literally stopped WWIII and the Nuclear Annihilation of all life on earth in May 1993, on a Tuesday; 4) as a consultant for DARPA under SPC; and finally; 5) an Electronic Warfare (EW) Instructor for General Dynamics IT, teaching how to defeat the Cellular Phones used by terrorist in Iraq and Afghanistan to remote detonate IED's and EFP's, saving hundreds, if not thousands of lives and reducing casualties significantly. Praise is unto the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ - Son of God and Savior of the World, and the Blessed Holy Spirit. I exalt their names on high, give you respect, praise, worship, honor, and enjoy the comfort, peace and tranquility of mind, and your overwhelming abundant love! Peace to all mankind. I have loved four women in my life. But I live alone now. The Holy Trinity are now my companions. May God's blessings and grace be with each of you and your entire family, forever more! Amen." What he inscribed for his wife --- possibly his 4th wife if that's what he means by "I have loved four women". Okay, on the right: "As my wife, Carla was a wonderful, loving, kind, compassionate, passionate, considerate, beautiful and very sweet woman. After High School, she was a singer in a band in her early years, doing quite well with a large following of friends that enjoyed her rock n roll and contemporary country music. Following that, she became a graphics illustrator, doing banners and signs for customers. She then took on the challenge of raising two daughters and maintaining a household. A loving parent of two daughters, Carla did everything she could to provide for her children including working to jobs to make ends meet. Carla later became a caregiver to a family of six, taking care of their kids while the parents worked. Carla and I were married on December 11, 2009 and had a blissful relationship until February of 2011 when she received a medical diagnose of colon cancer. Her bravery and strong character kept her going until October 1, 2012, when she passed away due to pulmonary problems associated with the cancer. I loved Carla and will always love her. I cherish our memories together. I found her obituary since he had at least her name and death date: https://www.tibbettsfischerfuneralhome.com/obituary/Carla-Ullom She passed in Arizona and was Ronald James was his first name. One of them was originally from Courtland, KS. I can't find information on him (aka an obit). Oh wait, I found a resume of sorts - Scribd document shows page 1 of 4, in case you want some more reading on him: https://www.scribd.com/document/56409165/Mr See, you find a tombstone that sticks out and you go down a rabbit hole. Would he be proud of that? If anything, his "interesting" style shows that he has made a lasting impression on someone who never met him. Take that for what it is. |
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| In contrast to the previous stones from Ullom, here are some other tombstones and decorations that give information about the people buried here - they aren't standard, but not so strange. On the left, children's building blocks that indicate it must have been a child. I can't read what's on top, but the part facing out "Chiles Everly Wright / Sept. 6 2013" On the right, since some of the decorations are in the way, I can't quite make it out, but it was a woman in her 30s, noted as daughter. There is a picture of her with a horse, and images on the stone of a cat and a dog, so she was clearly passionate about animals and missed by her parents. |
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| Again, the grave of a child brings unanswered questions, doesn't it? Baby Doe indicates the child may have been found in odd circumstances. When? What was the story? No year at all to know... This is the stuff that gets the mind wondering. |
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This grouping of stone seems like a very tight-knit family. Everhart. Back two stones: Left: "Le Thi Everhart / May 12, 1940 / Mar. 16, 2009" Right: "Harold. Jr. Everhart / Dec. 13, 1932 / Sept. 24, 2004" Front: Left to Right: "O. Joan Everhart / 1931" she must still be living " Harold L. Everhart / 1910 1991" with a "Rock Island" logo and an image of what is probably a bit of train equipment because I think Rock Island had something to do with trains in the area. "Harold & Olive / Loving Parents of / Harold Jr., / Wanda, Betty, Barbara, Donald, Jackie, Jimmy, Robert, Sheryl & Allan" Wow! 10 kids! "Olive A. Everhart / 1913 - 1969" "Son / Robert L. Everhart / 1947-1978" |
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| I badly want to know the story here. A man buried by, what seems to be the Union Pacific Railroad, who took special care to note the man was 'colored'. So many damn questions. Internet searches not proving useful. Might be worth it to find out from the County Museum what records they have... Likely very little. Unfortunately, the stories of many have been lost. IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION, PLEASE SEND IT MY WAY. Reads: "Charles Andrew Baker / Colored / Born Dec 20, 1876 / Died Dec 18, 1907 / Erected by UPRR Co" I am so curious about the life of this man. His tombstone was erected by the railroad. Did he work for them? Did he die on the job? Was he found dead near the railroad? Was he killed? Lynched? Was his death the result of hatred and racism? He died 2 days before his 31st birthday. What kind of family did he leave behind, if any? What happened to them? |
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UPDATE! (2/28/2021) The former editor of the local newspaper sent me information that someone else had researched! So thankful someone had the dedication to pursue this before me! <3 From the Thursday, September 8, 2005 edition of the Belleville Telescope: Researcher Uncovers Clues to Mystery Grave at Belleville. (Editor's Note: Alice Dyck, Washington, conducted extensive research into a little-known man buried in a grave in Belleville Cemetery. Her interest in the story was sparked by Belleville resident Lorine Gleue. Dyke's story appeared in a recent edition of the Washington County News.) Charles Andrew Baker, the subject of this article, was born perhaps in 1876 (or earlier), which meant his parents had probably been born slaves, although their were "free persons of color" in all states. The birth and death dates of Charles Baker as shown on his gravestone in Belleville City Cemetery: born 20 December 176 and died 18 December 1907. Also engraved on the store ins the word "colored" and "erected by the UPRR Co.". The 1900 federal census for Belleville showed that Charles was living there in a hotel/boarding house. The hotel keeper, Samuel Parker, was renting the building and lived there with his wife and three children. Also living there was another family consisting of a husband, wife and child. All were white. There were six white boarders of both sexes and two black male border, Charles Baker who was a porter, and Andy Odem who was a cook. The record shows Charles could read and write. In the census record, Charles gave his age as 25 and his birthday as August 1874. He gives his birthplace as Louisiana , and states his parents were also born in Louisiana. Dyck notes that the dates on Baker's tombstone are different from what she uncovered in other records. It was difficult to determine whether she found his family in the south, due to incomplete records and many families with children of the same name. Through the assistance of the Belleville Public Library staff, Dyck found three newspaper articles about a train accident in which Charles Baker was fatally injured. Two articles wrote of the train wreck which had occurred just "west of Lawrenceburg" near Clyde. The wreck was due to a broken rail thought to be caused by extremely cold weather. Charles was thrown through a window and his skull crushed. He died two hours later without every regaining consciousness. A brief later article said Baker had left an insurance policy worth $2,000, and after several months a brother, Perry Baker, was located in Talladega AL (a section of Birmingham). A letter from the brother had been found in Baker's box of belongings, and it was determined the brother should receive the insurance money. One of the newspaper articles reported that "Charlie" had been living at Belleville 18 or 20 years. His funeral was conducted at the Methodist Church in Belleville two days after his death. The accolades in the two Belleville newspapers, dated December 20, 1907, report: "Charlie has a host of friends not only in Belleville but also along the line to Junction City who will mourn his death. He was a kindhearted fellow always jolly and happy and a great favorite wherever he went." "Charles had been on this run the past 18 or 20 years and was popular all along the line. Every passenger and especially women and children will miss the kindly assistance and true courtesy shown them by Charles Baker." |
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| Okay, again with the horror movies... This was the only gravesite that stuck out to me as having unmelted snow after a day when it got up to the mid 60s. Now, it's POSSIBLE there were other unmelted parts, but this stuck out. It made me wonder about the character of the people buried here. Getting creative here... Were they known for something nefarious? Their last name was 'Laws'. Both born in 1860s. She died in the 1940s and he in the 1920s. Intriguing.... but of course probably just a scientific explanation right? ;) |
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| Here begins a few photos grouping the Canfield family. What can be gleamed from the dates and names alone? The first is a stone for a 12 year old girl. "Ledona June Canfield / Born June 26, 1922 / Died Oct. 5, 1934 / At Rest" |
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| They had interesting names, but I also assumed they were related to the above Ledona - her parents perhaps? Left: "Eunice L. Canfield / Sept. 22, 1901 / Oct. 29, 1979) She was 33 when Ledona died. Right: "Rollie C Canfield / July 6, 1898 / Feb. 6, 1955" |
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| The last of the stones I noticed for the Canfield grouping. Father born in 1874 - would this have been Rollie's parents? Age 19 and 24 when Rollie was born, so it's likely. See? This is a bit interesting, isn't it?! Mother: Gertie M. / Mar. 17, 1879 / Sept 12. 1952 / Father Arthur M. / Oct 24, 1984 / June 24, 1957 / Arthur M. Canfield and Gertie M. Zech Married Sept. 1897" One of the few stones that gave the woman's maiden name which is helpful for those doing genealogy, right? |
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| The grouping of Canfield markers. |
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Samuel Steele - and that's all that's written! An interesting contrast to an earlier stone that had an overload of information - this one lacks information of dates! Unless there was more information on the back? See, so much variety in the same cemetery! |
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This must have been one that was interesting to me in age and design. Left panel: "Samuel Kennedy / Died / ? 22, 1900 / Aged ? yrs, 8 mos. ? days" Then an inscription I can't read. Front panel: "Eliza, / Wife of / Samuel Kennedy / Born / July 15, 1820; / Died / Jan. 31 1894. / A member of the M.E. Church under Peter Cart-wright in 1841. Was married in 1841, in Morgan Co. Ill." Interesting/helpful they included where they were married. |
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| "Morley L. Haney / Sep 21. 1895 / Mar. 1. 1896". Lived less than 6 months. |
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I can't read the stones well. I think the surname is Ryan. But of course, I see the awful glue job that looks like dripping blood. My husband writes horror films, what can I say? Best I can figure - left is the mom, right side says info about the son. Left: "Margaret, (JC?) / Wife of / ? M. Ryan? / ? / April 10, 1845? / Died Nov 4, 1884" Right: "Elmer E. / Son of (JM?) and MJ Ryan / Died / Sept 6, 1873 / Aged . (2?) Mos & (16?) Days" So another young child. |
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The small ones on the left read "Grandmother" and "Grandfather". Not to much information, eh? I can't glean too much from the leaning stone. On the left, surname possibly "Ada? Redfield 1866-1882 Right panel: "Nellie Woodward / 1863 1888" Can't tell how correct that is. I could imagine they are sisters? Who knows... Maybe 16 and 25 at the times of their deaths. Intrigue! |
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Okay, last one from my collection! This one had an interesting name, and of course the design and age. Surname Munger. Left Panel: "Epenetus Munger / 1809-1893 / His Wife / Caroline / 1805-1891 / Parents F. N. Munger" Front Panel (did not check out the side or back): "F.N. Munger / Co.E11 Reg Mc. Cav.? / July 14, 1845 / June 9, 1929" / "Celia A. Munger / May 23, 1843 / Nov 4, 1919" So he outlived his wife by 10 years. (Assuming it was his wife) She was 76 at death, he was 83. His father and mother lived 84 and 86 respectively, which actually seems quite long for the time, or to my understanding anyway. |
So, there you have it... A stroll of less than an hour yesterday and what has been 6+ hours of my day today to catalog the deceased I "encountered" yesterday. People born in other countries, children gone too soon. So many stories and lives we may never know.
If ever I get into a rut as a writer, seems a few of these people could be inspiration... And a call to the county museum!
So, what are your impressions?
Any personal connections for some of my local readers?
Any memorable graves you have seen?
Any thoughts on what you want for YOUR marker?
Morbid as this may be, we are all temporary. But it seems we can still have an effect on people we'll never meet! Isn't that a bit hopeful after all?
