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.
