Okay, so the title is tacky, but when I pranced around in the mud looking for a grave of an ancestor at Sunrise Memorial Cemetery, I wasn't expecting to find such views. It's not like I haven't been to Sunrise before; in fact, I've been out there more times than I can count. So why am I just seeing it this way for the first time? I just don't know!
I guess perhaps it was in the way I treated this visit that changed my perception of the cemetery. What I normally do is look throughout a cemetery and capture a picture or two of a gravestone that is ornate. Perhaps the person lived a very long time, or maybe not long at all. There may be a large family buried together, or one solitary stone crying out for attention. Whatever it is that stands out, I take a photo.
Two days ago, it was the peacefulness of the cemetery that stood out. It was a quiet day, cool and windy. I was alone at the cemetery, besides the countless souls buried beneath my feet, and a squirrel or two that ran along the side of the road. I didn't hear any people or cars. I didn't see any trash or debris. It was just me and nature.
I was searching for a particular grave, but I began to click my camera-phone, not paying much attention to the usual things so much. I saw some interesting things, like...
I guess perhaps it was in the way I treated this visit that changed my perception of the cemetery. What I normally do is look throughout a cemetery and capture a picture or two of a gravestone that is ornate. Perhaps the person lived a very long time, or maybe not long at all. There may be a large family buried together, or one solitary stone crying out for attention. Whatever it is that stands out, I take a photo.
Two days ago, it was the peacefulness of the cemetery that stood out. It was a quiet day, cool and windy. I was alone at the cemetery, besides the countless souls buried beneath my feet, and a squirrel or two that ran along the side of the road. I didn't hear any people or cars. I didn't see any trash or debris. It was just me and nature.
I was searching for a particular grave, but I began to click my camera-phone, not paying much attention to the usual things so much. I saw some interesting things, like...
A wooden door. How eerie! It looks like I can push this door down easily.
A Day of the Dead tribute?? All I know is that I wasn't going to get
any closer.
Gravestones are sinking! I thought the Newcomb stone looked like
it was sliding. I didn't notice the stone on the left until I looked
at the picture.
Many, many squirrels. I stopped counting at 70.
The office hasn't been open to the public in at least a year, and I never did find a particular grave I was searching. That means I'll be back out here soon to search again. I just hope the stones will still be standing.
Please support the funding of your local cemeteries.
Jeannie, these photos are wonderful. It is so sad to see headstones that are in the midst of a problem especially if there is no one to save it! That happened to my Great Great Grandfather's headstone...as for the Day of the Dead, we see that here in New Mexico all the time. Loved the photos. Leni
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